Young Sunshine Coast cyclist recalls alleged hit and run incident
A young cyclist says he‘s lucky he wasn’t more seriously injured after his bike and a car collided on the Sunshine Coast, while the driver has been charged with attempted murder.
Police & Courts
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A semi-professional cyclist who police will allege was the victim of a hit and run incident on the Sunshine Coast says he‘s lucky he wasn’t more seriously injured.
Daniel Di Domenico, 20, sustained minor injuries after his bike and a car collided while riding along Frizzo Road, Palmwoods on Thursday, September 30.
Police have charged Noosaville man Kyle John Heaney, 23, with dangerous driving in relation to the incident with Mr De Domenico.
Heaney was also charged with attempted murder after another hit and run of a second Sunshine Coast cyclist on the same day.
The Australian Cycling Academy rider, based out of the University of the Sunshine Coast, said he was lucky to have sustained relatively minor injuries in the incident.
“I flew off the bike and all over the road. It was pretty scary,” Mr Di Domenico said.
Mr Di Domenico said he landed on his right-hand side which tore skin off and left him with major bruising.
“A fair bit of skin came off my leg, but I’m pretty lucky really,” he said.
He said it would be a challenging ordeal to resume riding on the road.
Police will allege one of Mr Di Domenico’s riding colleagues was also struck by Heaney in a separate incident along Nambour Connection Road, Nambour.
Nambour Police station officer-in-charge Gary Brayley alleged Heaney drove his vehicle into a cyclist on the road about 10.50am.
The road has a speed limit of 90km/h.
Sergeant Brayley said the cyclist involved in the second incident sustained potentially “life changing injuries”.
Australian Cycling Academy founder Matt Wilson said the second rider had suffered significant injuries in the incident.
“Daniel had minor injuries and a short stay in hospital,” Mr Wilson said.
“But the other has much more significant injuries and will be in hospital for a while. It’s going to be a long road to recovery.”
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the cyclist sustained a head injury and was taken by critical care paramedics to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
She said he was taken in a serious but stable condition.
Sergeant Brayley said the accused was involved in a third crash at Burnside and was arrested after he fled into a dam.
He said police were required to wade into waist deep water to make the arrest.
Sergeant Brayley said all of the alleged incidents happened on Thursday morning about an hour apart.
The man was charged with one count of attempted murder, three counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, one count of fail to remain at the scene and one count of obstruct police.
Defence lawyer Luke Bull represented Heaney in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday and said he was aware a mental health assessment was being done.
He said there would not be a bail application on Friday and asked the matter to be adjourned.
Magistrate Maxine Baldwin ordered a brief of evidence to be completed and adjourned the matter to December 17 for a committal mention.
Police are appealing to the public for any witnesses or dash camera footage to come forward.
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