Wezley Fortunato, 28, mourned by loved ones after fatal motorbike accident

A Burpengary motorcycle rider who was found dead on the side of the road was recently sentenced to three years’ jail in a tragic turn of events it can now be revealed.

Wezley Ian Mario Fortunato.

The checkered past of a Burpengary man who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle crash on Friday morning has been revealed as his loved ones mourn the “good guy” he ultimately was.

Police investigations suggest Wezley Ian Mario Fortunato, 28, was travelling north on Nolan Dr, Morayfield when he failed to negotiate a left-hand turn.

He was sadly found dead on the side of the road by a passer-by shortly after 5am.

A previous report by Quest News has shed some light on Fortunato’s history with drugs and crime, detailing a court appearance of his after which he was granted bail on charges of drug possession.

The then-26-year-old faced Pine Rivers Magistrate Court on November 23, 2020 in relation to crimes which involved a “significant amount of drugs”.

Brothers Elijah Mario Fortunato (left) and Wezley Ian Mario Fortunato (right). Picture: Facebook

Defence lawyer Andrew Owens told the court Fortunato developed a debilitating addiction to methamphetamine after suffering a back injury while working as a concreter.

The young man only fell deeper into drug use when his brother-in-law unexpectedly passed away in 2019.

Magistrate Trevor Morgan remarked at the time the only way he could justify Fortunato’s release on bail was by way of a “very significant surety of $30,000”.

His mother Cassandra Fortunato promptly offered up the cash and he was granted bail.

Fortunato was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in the Brisbane Supreme Court on August 11 this year, with immediate release on parole, after serving 122 days in presentence custody at the end of last year.

The scene of the crash at Nolan Dr, Morayfield on December 16. Picture: Aaron Goodwin

He pleaded guilty to four charges including two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs quantity exceeding schedule three but less than schedule four and possessing anything for use in the commission of crime.

Following his passing, a childhood friend of Fortunato, Bianca Louise, shared the fond memories she had of their friendship as kids and teenagers despite him not always being “the nicest”.

“He was the light in everyone‘s shitty days and was always there through the good days, too. He was easygoing and someone to always have a laugh with, definitely one of a kind,” she said.

“He wasn’t always the nicest kid back then, a bit of put down banter, but that’s just who he was. At the end of the day, he was genuine and honest, and that's what made him a good guy.

“It's sad for parents to bury their own children. It should be the other way around. He will dearly and deeply be missed by many.”