DANGEROUS DRIVING OCCASIONING GREVIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH DANGEROUS DRIVING OCCASIONING GREVIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH?
The criminal offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm or death is a serious indictable offence than is open to severe consequences. If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm or death, contact our specialised criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
WHAT IS THE OFFENCE OF DANGEROUS DRIVING OCCASIONING GREVIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH?
Section 52A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) constitutes the criminal offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm as driving a vehicle involved in an impact occasioning grievous bodily harm to another person and the driver was, at the time of the impact, driving the vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a drug, or at a speed dangerous to another person or persons, or in a manner dangerous to another person or persons.
Section 52A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) constitutes the criminal offence of dangerous driving occasioning death as driving a vehicle involved in an impact occasioning the death of another person and the driver was, at the time of the impact, driving the vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a drug, or at a speed dangerous to another person or persons, or in a manner dangerous to another person or persons.
WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING OCCASIONING GREVIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH?
Section 52A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) provides for a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment for anyone convicted of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. If committed in circumstances of aggravation, the maximum penalty is 11 years imprisonment.
Section 52A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) provides for a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for anyone convicted of dangerous driving occasioning death. If committed in circumstances of aggravation, the maximum penalty is 14 years imprisonment.
HUNTER BUS DRIVER SENTENCED
Brett Button has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 32 years in jail, with a non-parole period of 24 years for his role in driving a bus that crashed in the Hunter Valley and killed 10 people, with a further 25 victims injured.
Mr Button had originally been charged with 10 counts of manslaughter although following a plea deal the manslaughter charges were withdrawn and dismissed and he was convicted of dangerous driving occasioning death and dozens of charges of relating to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, driving furiously, and causing bodily harm.
Newcastle District Court Judge Roy Ellis stated that Mr Button had been driving the bus too fast and engaged in high-risk behaviour whilst clearly under the impairment of the opioid Tramadol. Judge Ellis also stated Mr Button had abandoned his responsibility to ensure the safety of his passengers and that in his 50 years in the justice system he had “never dealt with a case that contained anywhere near the devastation”.
Mr Button expressed remorse, telling the Court that he was ashamed and stating “I can’t forgive myself. I can’t believe I caused this. I never meant to cause this. I truly wish it never happened.”
FAMILIES OF HUNTER BUS CRASH HOPE FOR REFORM
Prior to the sentencing of Mr Button, families of the victims of the Hunter bus crash met with the NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley with the intention of having the manslaughter charges reinstated. The Attorney-General advised the families that the manslaughter charges would not be reinstated.
Whilst Mr Bray and Mr Mullen, family members of two of the victims, were said to be devastated that the manslaughter charged were dropped, they expressed hope that their conversation with the Attorney-General would ensure reform on the way the DPP communicates with victims’ families, stating that they were left in the dark throughout a lot of Mr Button’s prosecution.
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm or death, contact our specialised criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation. Our award-winning criminal law experts have proven results in securing not guilty verdicts and avoiding imprisonment for our clients across NSW who have been charged with the offence of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm or death.