Liam Paul Mitchell sentenced for ‘distressing’ Beenleigh 2020 motorcyclist death

The heartbroken family of a young motorcyclist killed in a horrific Logan crash gasped as his name was read aloud in court, before the tradie responsible for the tragedy was sentenced.

A painter who fatally struck a 29-year-old motorcyclist with his Toyota HiLux in Beenleigh in 2020 has been sentenced for the “inexplicable’’ tragedy before the victim’s heartbroken mother.

Loved ones, including the devastated parents of fatal crash victim Robert Buchbach gasped as his name was read aloud in Beenleigh District Court as part of proceedings against driver Liam Paul Mitchell.

Mitchell, 23, of Beenleigh, pleaded guilty on October 31 to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.

The court heard that on November 28, 2020, Mitchell was driving his Toyota HiLux south on Beenleigh Rd and the victim Robert Buchbach was travelling north along Tallagandra Rd on his blue Yamaha motorcycle.

Mitchell was turning right at the intersection of Beenleigh and Tallagandra roads and had to give way to oncoming traffic.

He followed the vehicles in front at a speed of 30 kmh and turned onto the road without looking closely, blocking Mr Buchbach’s path.

Mr Buchbach broke and swerved to avoid Mitchell but struck the Toyota HiLux and was swung from the motorcycle.

Liam Paul Mitchell outside Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

The court heard Mitchell checked on Mr Buchbach and remained at the scene, where the motorcyclist died.

As loved ones of Mr Buchbach left court yesterday they made an impassioned plea for motorists to “be a safe driver”.

Mr Buchbach’s mother Christine Cornish said on social media in 2020 that her son died doing what he loved.

“At the young age of just 29 we lost our boy Robert Buchbach, to us and many he was and always will be ‘Robbie’,” she said.

Close fried Natasha Cochrane echoed Mr Buchbach’s mother’s thoughts in a 2020 interview.

“He died doing what he loved more than anything in the world, so I know deep down he’s happy and doing okay,” she said.

“It is just surreal to think he’s gone and we won’t ever be able to talk again, or see his beautiful face again.

“He will be beyond missed, and life won’t ever be the same without his bubble bright smile and life he brings.”

Robert Buchbach passed away in a Beenleigh motorcycle accident on November 28, 2020

The court heard Mitchell had suffered PTSD and severe anxiety from the accident.

He had also completed the Queenslanders Traffic Offenders Program.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said it was a tragic and distressing case.

“The dangerousness of your driving was your failure to look out. You had plenty of time to see the motorcyclist, it was a clear day, it’s inexplicable but you have to wear the consequences,” he said.

“The devastation to the family of the deceased is heartbreaking, we can’t bring him back we just have to pick up the pieces.

“You’re going to live the rest of your life with the knowledge you have caused the death of another human being.”

Mitchell received a two-year suspended jail sentence and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.