Volunteer bus driver Michael Ryan avoids jail after crash that killed Margaret Russell

Warrigal Care volunteer Michael Ryan has avoided jail over a fatal bus crash in 2017 that killed a Shellharbour grandmother.

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Illawarra widower Michael Ryan has escaped jail time, after a bus he was driving for Warrigal Care crashed and killed a Shellharbour grandmother in 2017.

Earlier this year, a jury found Ryan guilty of dangerous driving causing death, after the Warrigal Care minibus he was driving partially crossed into the path of a fuel carrier on the M1 at Yallah on January 25, 2017.

Michael Ryan leaves Wollongong Court on July 23.

Ryan, a volunteer bus driver, was transporting 10 people, including two Warrigal staff members and eight clients, to a picnic at Dapto when he steered the minibus into the same lane as the 17 tonne B-double truck carrying 50,000 litres of ethanol.

Margaret Russell, 78, suffered multiple blunt force injuries and sadly died at the scene.

On Tuesday, Ryan faced Wollongong District Court for sentencing, where the court heard about the impact Ms Russell’s tragic death had on her family, just weeks before her grandson’s wedding.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Russell’s daughter-in-law Janelle Renes said while Ms Russell was missed terribly, her family had great compassion for Ryan.

Family of Margaret Russell, who was tragically killed in a bus crash on the M1 in 2017.

“Michael Ryan must be a good man who was doing an important community service,” she said.

Mrs Renes recounted how excited Ms Russell was for her grandson Alex’s wedding to now wife Lauren, and that her family were thrilled she could make it as she had been having some health issues.

“The day before the accident we had gone for lunch … we talked at length about Alex’s upcoming wedding,” she said.

“We asked her what she was going to drink at the wedding and she said Bacardi.”

As Ms Russell never made it to the wedding, the court heard her family wrapped a bouquet around a bottle of Bacardi in her honour.

In handing down his sentence Judge Christopher O’Brien said the case was “one laden with tragedy and sadness” and that Ryan had shown genuine remorse for his actions and was a person of excellent character.

Bacardi for Margaret Russell at her grandson’s wedding. Pic: supplied.

Judge O’Brien sentenced Ryan to two years jail to be served in the community with 250 hours community service, and banned him from holding a driver’s licence for three years.

The court heard Ryan had suffered a difficult few years in the lead up to the crash, beginning with a violent armed robbery in 2011, followed by the death of his wife, which had left him suffering from both anxiety and depression.

Judge O’Brien acknowledged Ms Russell’s death had a huge impact on Ryan, and compounded his feelings of depression and anxiety.

Outside court, Ryan said he was relieved to finally have some closure, more than two years after the tragic crash.

“I can get on with life now and do what I’m supposed to do,” he said.

“I’m pleased the judge treated me fairly and once again I’m so sorry for the Russell family. But now it’s over for them, and it’s over for me.”

Ryan said he was grateful to have the forgiveness of Ms Russell’s family and thanked them for their compassion during the lengthy court proceedings.

“It’s so good of them and I’ve thanked them for that,” he said. “And again I’ve told them I’m so sorry.”