A truck driver involved in a serious collision with a school bus that resulted in the injury of seven children should not be portrayed as the antagonist, according to his legal representative. Jamie Gleeson, aged 51, acknowledges he was operating the truck that crashed into the bus in Melbourne’s west on May 16, 2023. However, he denies accusations of dangerous driving leading up to the accident.
At the start of his trial in the Victorian County Court, Gleeson pleaded not guilty to seven charges of dangerous driving causing serious injuries. His barrister, James Anderson, contended that while the incident is indeed tragic, it doesn’t necessitate a villain. The court heard that 46 primary school children were aboard the bus on their journey from Exford Primary School when the incident occurred.
The bus was travelling approximately 900 metres along Exford Road before signalling to turn right onto Murphys Road. Gleeson, trailing behind the bus, collided with it as it began its turn, causing it to spin and roll over. Evidence gathered by crash scene investigators revealed that Gleeson’s truck skidded for 25 metres prior to impact, reaching a speed of 67 km/h at the moment of collision.
Subsequent assessments of the vehicle indicated brake faults, although Gleeson remained unaware of these problems and had maintained regular servicing of the truck. Importantly, at the time of the crash, he tested negative for drugs and alcohol, with no signs of speeding or mobile phone use before the incident.
Prosecution claims, as stated by Neill Hutton SC, suggested that Gleeson either failed to maintain an adequate distance from the bus or did not pay proper attention to its movements. However, Gleeson’s barrister challenged these assertions, pointing out that he comprehensively answered over 700 questions from police following the crash, insisting he only realised the bus was about to turn at the very last moment.
Gleeson reportedly likened the situation to the bus ‘forgetting’ to perform the turn. This contention that he maintained appropriate distance and awareness is set to be a critical point in the trial, with Anderson urging the jury to weigh the lack of solid proof from the prosecution.
As proceedings continue, bus driver Graham Stanley began his testimony, describing the impact as forceful, stating, “It launched the bus forward in a rapid motion. It just felt extreme – it wasn’t a fender bender.” He expressed uncertainty about whether he was wearing a seatbelt but was confident that all students aboard were secured. Stanley’s evidence is expected to carry on in the following sessions.