Travis Wayne Turner jailed as hit-run on cyclist Sonja Maus becomes his 29th crime

The disqualified driver has learned his fate in court after his 29th crime left a woman bloodied on the roadside when she was riding to work.

An appallingly dangerous, disqualified driver whose 29th crime was running down a cyclist, fleeing the scene and altering his van to avoid arrest will be eligible for release from prison in 15 months’ time.

On Wednesday, the District Court condemned Travis Wayne Turner’s behaviour and its ongoing, disabling and devastating impacts upon cyclist Sonja Maus.

Turner, who was disqualified from driving, left Ms Maus for dead – suffering multiple facial, skull, rib and arm fractures – after looking down at her and saying “she doesn’t look good”.

Judge Anthony Allen said Turner’s history of 28 prior road offences and prior prison terms made it clear he posed an “acute risk of reoffending” once released, unless treated for his underlying issues.

“The fact you fled the scene after observing your victim laying bloody on the footpath is unconscionable,” he said.

“You observed the grave damage that you had caused and selfishly decided to put your own interests before those of the person that you had just so badly hurt.

“Your moral culpability becomes higher when one considers the lengths you went to (in order) to avoid responsibility for your actions.”

Asked, outside court, for her reaction to Turner’s sentence, Ms Maus shrugged.

“No reaction... we just hope that he gets the help that he needs so that cyclists feel safe on our roads,” she said.

CCTV footage of Travis Wayne Turner following the collision. Picture: 7NEWS

Cyclist and hit run victim Sonja Maus. Picture: 7NEWS

Turner, 47, of Somerton Park, pleaded guilty to causing harm by dangerous driving and to leaving the scene of an accident.

He was behind the wheel of a white Toyota HiAce that, in February 2023, collided with Ms Maus, 44, as she was cycling to work along Churchill Rd, Kilburn.

After the incident, he drove to his brother’s house and altered the van by replacing its damaged bumper and swapping its number plates to conceal his crime. Turner’s brother is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Last month, Judge Allen said Turner’s life had been “punctuated” by “appalling” driving offences and dubbed him “a danger to the community when he gets behind the wheel”.

Ms Maus sustained significant injuries. Picture: 7NEWS

Sonja Maus, right leaves the District Court in Adelaide with her partner. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

In sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Allen said Turner’s explanation for the incident – that he had leaned over to put a can of soft drink in the van’s cup holder – was “consistent” with the collision.

However, his stated reason for driving while disqualified – not wanting to disappoint his boss – was no excuse for his actions.

“Ms Maus was wearing bright clothes and a backpack with reflective tape... she had taken steps to make sure she was clearly visible to other road users,” he said.

“She is adversely affected every day... her injuries still impact upon her... her husband struggles to believe how you could, in his words, ‘leave her for dead’ on the side of the road.”

He jailed Turner for three years and six months, with a non-parole period of two years and six months, backdated to February last year, and disqualified him from driving for 10 years.

Outside court, Ms Maus said she had “no comment to make” about Turner’s in-court apology during a prior hearing.

“I’m happy to express my gratitude to SA Police and to all the staff at the RAH, we feel very well-supported,” she said.