Menangle truck crash: Brendon Lidgard charged over Hume Highway fatal collision
The driver who allegedly ploughed his truck into a group of people at a Menangle rest stop, tragically killing an eight-year-old girl, has been accused of triggering a medical episode after he dosed up on his diabetes medication to enjoy Friday night beers, a court has heard.
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A man who allegedly ploughed a truck into a group of people at a Hume Highway rest stop, tragically killing an eight-year-old girl, has been accused of triggering a medical episode after he dosed up on his diabetes medication to enjoy Friday night beers, a court has heard.
The court heard an hour before the horrific collision on July 10, Boral truck driver Brendon Paul Lidgard, 44, injected a higher-than-usual dosage of insulin.
“He did this partly because he had planned to consume alcohol that evening and the insulin would counteract his blood levels from rising from the alcohol,” the police prosecutor alleged.
Police say the diabetic of 27 years was aware of the risks of mismanaging his medication.
The Moss Vale man was allegedly later seen on the Hume Hwy near Menangle, swerving erratically for about two kilometres as a medical episode took place.
“He could’ve stopped, and should’ve stopped, to avoid this tragedy but the footage clearly shows he continued on,” the police prosecutor said.
About 3pm, Lidgard’s truck allegedly ploughed into people standing at Partridge Rest Area, on the Hume Highway, killing an eight-year-old girl and seriously injuring four adults.
The court heard the father couldn’t recall the incident.
Lidgard’s lawyer said alcohol wasn’t the sole reason Lidgard consumed the extra medication, as he was also peckish and felt his blood sugar levels rising.
He stopped at Uncle Leo’s Roadhouse in Glenfield and bought a chicko roll, lamb cutlet and lollies. He planned to finish the food at the Hume Highway rest stop where the fatal incident took place.
His defence lawyer said Lidgard, under medical supervision, had been loose with his insulin for an extended period and would mix things up two to three times a week, telling the court there was nothing unusual about his client’s actions.
Lidgard, who has been charged with nine offences including dangerous driving occasioning death, was granted bail to live with his parents at Moss Vale.
He must report to police three times a week and is expected to take up a desk role with the trucking company he is employed by.
The 44-year-old man will return to the same court in September.