Truck Driver Charged Over Melbourne Police Collision

Truck Driver Charged Over Melbourne Police Collision
Scenes after multi-car crash, Eastern Freeway, Melbourne, Australia, April 23, 2020. Luis Ascui/Getty Images
Alex Joseph
Updated:

The Melbourne truck driver allegedly responsible for a multi-car collision on April 22 has been charged on four counts of culpable driving. The fatal crash between the truck, two police cars, and a Porsche on Eastern Freeway resulted in four police officers dying at the scene.

Mohinder Singh Bajwa, 47, was charged following a joint investigation between Homicide Squad and Major Collision Investigation Unit (MSIU) detectives. Bajwa has been remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on April 27.
Bajwa, a Cranbourne resident, had been in hospital since the crash around 5.30 p.m. on April 22. He had experienced a medical episode, blacking out after the crash, and was held in hospital where he remained in a non-life-threatening condition until April 26.

The Collision

On April 22, the multi-vehicle collision occurred near Chandler Highway moments after police had stopped a Porsche driven by Richard Pusey for allegedly speeding. Originally two police officers were on the scene but they soon requested back up after it is alleged that Pusey was in possession and under the influence of drugs.

On April 24, the court heard that as the four police officers searched his car, Pusey took a moment to relieve himself away from the vehicles. Moments later a semi-trailer driven by Bajwa veered across multiple lanes and collided with the four officers and three cars.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, and Constable Josh Prestney lost their lives in the line of duty that evening. It was the greatest loss of life in a single day in Victorian police history.

Pusey, who survived, allegedly fled the scene and was arrested the following day. He has been charged with nine offenses including failing to render assistance, drug possession, driving at a dangerous speed, and reckless conduct endangering life.

As well as facing criminal charges, Pusey faces challenges with his mortgage brokering business Switch Now Home Loans. According to The Australian, corporate regulators are looking at deregistering his business on account of expired licenses, failing to submit documents, and unpaid fees.