Roadside memorial installed for Cairns tradie Jesse Rodman
The heartbroken family of a much-loved Cairns man have installed a roadside memorial just months ahead of the potential release of the truck driver who caused the carpenter’s death.
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The heartbroken family of a much-loved Cairns man have installed a roadside memorial just months ahead of the potential release of the truck driver who caused the carpenter’s death.
It was just another day for 26-year-old Jesse Rodman on December 8 in 2022 when he got in a Mazda BT-50 and headed south on the Bruce Highway to the job site.
But soon after leaving White Rock the vehicle was hit head-on after a truck driven by Lenard William Davis veered onto the wrong side of the road.
Five people were injured in the crash but Mr Rodman lost his life.
Mother Marie Rodman said a special bench was installed at the crash site last month near the Sikh temple in memory of her son.
“Jesse and his sister Casey have always been and always will be the most important people in our lives, that will never change,” she said.
“We were always a close family, it’s so hard for us to move forward when all we want is to go back.
“Jessie has such a huge personality and is loved by so many, we love and miss our son so very much.
“This bench is to honour him, a wonderful, funny, kind man who was taken away from us far too soon.
“We know he would appreciate this, a special place to sit and remember so many good times.”
The bench is located in front of the Sikh temple on a path running parallel with the Bruce Highway.
If Mr Rodman was still alive he would have celebrated his 29th birthday on March 25.
At the time of the fatal crash friends and loved ones of the White Rock business owner remembered Mr Rodman as an “absolute legend”, while extending their condolences to Mr Rodman’s mother Marie and father Daryl who live on the Sunshine Coast and sister Kasey.
On November 4 2024 Davis pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to one count of dangerous operation of vehicle causing death.
Judge Dean Morzone sentenced Davis to three years and six months imprisonment with a specified parole eligibility date of November, 2025.
No pre-sentence custody was declared and Davis’ driver’s licence was suspended for two years.
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Originally published as Roadside memorial installed for Cairns tradie Jesse Rodman
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