Roy Stanton: Bus driver in court over Xiaojun Chen fatal Zetland crash

A bus driver has changed his pleas over a fatal crash in which a 43-year-old motorcyclist was knocked off his bike.

Roy Stanton outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

UPDATE - JUNE 11 2021

A bus driver has admitted to causing a crash which killed a motorcyclist in Sydney’s inner south.

Roy Kenneth Stanton, 64, from Kogarah, knocked a motorcyclist off his bike near a busy intersection in Zetland during the early evening of September 29, 2020.

Emergency services did their best to save Xiaojun Chen's life but the 43-year-old died in hospital from his injuries.

The site of the crash, at the intersection of O’Dea and Gadigal avenues, is controlled by traffic lights and traffic was heavy at the time of the incident.

Stanton initially pleaded not guilty to four serious offences after being charged by police.

However, he changed his plea to guilty on Thursday (June 11) for one count of negligent driving occasioning death at Downing Centre Local Court.

The maximum penalty for the offence is 18 months imprisonment.

Three other charges were withdrawn.

Stanton remains on bail and will be sentenced in the same court in July.

EARLIER - DECEMBER 9 2020

A bus driver involved in a crash which killed a motorcyclist in Sydney’s inner south will fight serious charges laid against him including dangerous driving occasioning death.

Police allege Roy Kenneth Stanton, 64, from Kogarah, knocked a motorcyclist off his bike near a busy intersection in Zetland during the early evening of September 29.

The intersection of O’Dea and Gadigal avenues is controlled by traffic lights.

The crash site in Zetland.

The motorcyclist, Xiaojun Chen, 43, suffered serious injuries and died the following day in hospital.

Stanton pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to four charges in Downing Centre Local Court.

The charges include dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.

Roy Stanton leaves Downing Centre Court with his lawyer. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

He was supported by his lawyer in court and covered his face with a mask as he left the courthouse.

His matter has been adjourned until February and he remains on bail.

Emergency services did their best to save Mr Chen’s life before he was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital on the night of the crash. However, he died in hospital as a result of his injuries.