Truckie on trial "gloated" over death of 6-year-old boy
A truck driver who has been charged with causing a horrific crash that killed a 6-year-old boy reportedly "gloated" about the accident over his CB radio after he failed to stop, a court has heard.
Allan Michael Dyson, 59, appeared via videolink in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to apply for bail after being charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and three counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.
Police allege Mr Dyson was behind the wheel of a truck on November 6th 2004, when it collided with a station wagon in the New South Wales Southern Highlands.
Rian Strathdee was reportedly sitting in the back of the car when the crash forced the vehicle to roll 40 meters down the ridge of the road.
Rain died at the scene, and two other family members who were also in the car at the time of the impact were rushed to hospital for their injuries.
Police claim Mr Dyson, then 42 years old, did not stop to offer help after the collision, and instead drove away.
“Rather than stopping and rendering assistance, the applicant sees it fit to get on the CB radio and gloat,” police prosecutor Kerry-Ann McKinnon told the court.
The truck driver allegedly made “callous remarks” about the deadly crash which were heard by two witnesses.
The sergeant told the court the police would be relying on a number of lawfully intercepted telephone calls to prove their case.
“Not only do we say that he puts himself in the driver’s seat that day (during the tapped calls) but we say he makes admissions to the offences,” she said.
During an intercepted phone call, police allege Mr Dyson made damning statements about the police case against him.
“Yeah they’ve got their facts pretty much right …. I’d say they’ll lock me up pretty much straight away,” he allegedly said in a phone call to a friend.
“Someone obviously stirred them up, yeah someone dobbed me in.”
Sergeant McKinnon said there could be “no denying” that Mr Dyson was the driver of the truck that killed six-year-old Rian and injured his family members.
“Anyhow, like I said, I did it,” the truck driver allegedly said in a phone call heard by police, the court was told.
“I could have stopped really, I could have.”
The truck driver will remain behind bars on remand until December 15th when his matter returns to court.
He has not entered any pleas to the five charges.
Image credits: ABC News / Strathdee family