Truck driver Ben Geoffrey Murdoch jailed for fleeing scene of crash that killed motorcyclist Troy Adam Barton

A truckie has been jailed after fleeing the scene of a fatal collision with a motorcyclist, who he claimed at trial he hadn’t even noticed had hit him – despite dashcam capturing him cursing.

Truck driver Ben Geoffrey Murdoch, 49, leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 30, 2024. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

A truck driver has been jailed after fleeing the scene of a fatal collision with a motorcyclist, who he claimed at trial he hadn’t even noticed had hit him.

Ben Geoffrey Murdoch denied showing “callous disregard” to 48-year-old motorcyclist Troy Adam Barton following a fatal collision in 2023 – despite a court hearing how dashcam audio had captured Murdoch saying “little c**t came out and “f***ing hit me” while driving away from the scene without stopping.

Mr Barton’s de facto partner Amanda Andrews told the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday the trauma she had experienced since being rushed to contact Mr Barton’s friends and family after the crash.

Ms Andrew said police had wanted to distribute an urgent media release to locate and identify the truck driver, Murdoch, as he had fled the scene.

“I had no time to process anything, no time to gather my thoughts, no time to try and soften the devastating blow I was about to inflict on Troy’s family” she said.

“Making those phone calls and explaining to Troy’s loved ones that, not only was he involved in an accident causing him to pass away, but that he was left on the side of the road with no thought or regards to his safety or wellbeing was the most soul destroying thing I have had to do.”

Kippa Ring father and ex-Army veteran Troy Barton died after a tragic crash involving a truck near the Brisbane Airport on August 11, 2023. Picture: Facebook

Ms Andrews said Mr Barton’s children and grandchildren were still waiting for their inheritance due to Murdoch’s criminal proceedings causing delays finalising the estate and coronial investigation.

“This would not have happened if the driver had simply stopped,” Ms Andrew said, through tears.

“I still cannot fathom how anyone could possibly drive off and continue their day like nothing had ever happened.”

Murdoch was sentenced to serve three months of a 12 months jail sentence on Friday afternoon, after Magistrate Rosemary Gilbert found him guilty of failing to remain at the scene and show proper respect to the deceased, and failing to exhibit respect to the deceased while showing callous disregard.

Murdoch was not accused of any wrongdoing in terms of the collision itself, which the court heard occurred on Viola Place near Brisbane Airport around 5.30am on August 11, 2023.

The court heard the truck’s dashcam had picked up a large “bang” around the time of the incident, followed by Murdoch cursing “f***ing idiot”.

Murdoch could later be heard saying “he came out and hit me” and “little c**t came out and f***ing hit me, you f***ing cockhead”.

Murdoch, who represented himself at trial, had argued that the “bang” was the sound of a small fridge hitting the truck’s dash, and that he had been calling himself an idiot.

He claimed the “he came out and hit me” comments were simply him reminiscing about a different collision with another truck two months prior.

When delivering her verdict on Friday, Ms Gilbert dismissed Murdoch’s version of events, saying it didn’t have the “ring of truth or credibility”.

“The dashcam does establish, in my view – by virtue of the remarks that were made – that Mr Murdoch knew that there was an incident where Mr Barton had collided with his truck and that, being aware of that, he continued to drive – he did not stop,” Ms Gilbert said.

“There is no other credible explanation for those remarks.”

The scene of the crash at Viola Place. Picture: 7NEWS

The matter proceeded to immediate sentence, in which prosecutor Jordan Theed submitted Murdoch’s comments showed a “high level of callous disregard”.

He said Murdoch should receive a sentence of 12 to 15 months imprisonment and serve no less than three months in actual custody, due to a need to deter others from such offending,

The court heard Murdoch had a 2016 conviction for dangerous operation of a vehicle, in which he had been “drinking heavily” and tried to run his brother down with a ute during an argument.

Mr Theed said Murdoch also had two convictions for driving under the influence, but noted there were no allegations alcohol was at play in the current incident.

Murdoch told the court he was no longer working as a truck driver and relied on WorkCover to financially support himself and his mother, who he was a carer for.

He expressed concern that he wouldn’t be able to access his medication, for anxiety and depression, while in jail and that his mother may be forced to sell her house.

Ms Gilbert accepted Murdoch’s submissions, but told him they didn’t prevent the court from “imposing a sentence that is proper”.

“You did not afford to Mr Barton the decency of stopping,” she said.

“If you had done that, there would be no need for these charges, these proceedings.”

Murdoch was sentenced to 12 months jail, suspended for 15 months after he has served three months in actual custody.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.