Peter Moore gives evidence at Brendon Lidgard’s trial over fatal crash at Menangle rest stop

A witness has recounted the moment a car hit him and sent him flying five metres after a truck crashed into the rest area at Menangle on the Hume Highway in 2020.

A witness can remember the moment of impact when a car hit him after a truck ploughed into a Hume Highway rest area.

The evidence was recounted at the trial of Brendon Paul Lidgard, 44, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including dangerous driving occasioning death, over the collision at the rest stop at Menangle in July 2020.

In their opening last week, the defence have said the diabetic episode he suffered was “unprecedented” and Mr Lidgard had a reasonable belief he could safely drive.

The judge-alone trial has heard his truck entered the rest stop, mounted a median strip, hit a tree, a sign and a picnic table before crashing into three parked cars. An eight-year-old girl was killed in the crash.

Brendon Paul Lidgard.

The prosecution called witness Peter Moore to the stand on Tuesday morning.

Mr Moore, who was 46 at the time, was driving southbound along the Hume Highway with his wife, mother, and other family members.

When one of his family members needed to use the facilities, they pulled over and parked at the Partridge VC rest area at Menangle.

Mr Moore was standing outside his car when the Boral truck that Mr Lidgard was in crashed into the rest area.

“The vehicle was moving of its own accord,” Mr Moore told the court what he noticed about the truck.

Crash scene on the Hume HWY Partridge VC Rest Area. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“The way it was moving showed me it wasn't under control.”

Mr Moore noticed something out of the corner of his eye before a Subaru hit him.

“I remember thinking that's the hardest anything’s hit me in my life,” he said.

“I remember that impact. I went over the car, I remember my head smashing in the windscreen.”

Mr Moore said he was not sure if the Subaru was hit by the truck or another car before it “launched” towards him.

He told the court he was thrown about five metres and landed face down on the grass.

“I knew not to move because I knew that I had this serious impact … I didn’t know if I was dying or going to die,” Mr Moore said.

“I was in intense pain in my whole body … my right arm, I wasn't sure if it was attached to my body anymore … there was a lot of pain in my arm.

“I felt I am not sure if I will ever be able to use my arm again, that’s what I thought at the time.”

Mr Moore’s family soon found him and when paramedics arrived, they put him in multiple braces and “immobilised” him.

“I remember them then taking me into the ambulance and allowing my family to say goodbye to me in the ambulance,” he told the court.

“I remember that really upset my wife because she wasn't sure what that meant; if it was goodbye or see you later.”

Crash scene on the Hume HWY Partridge VC Rest Area in Menangle. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Mr Moore was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he had surgery and was later released on July 13.

He told the court, to his understanding, that injuries included multiple wounds on his right arm, a forehead haematoma, nine rib fractures, and pain from impact to his left ankle, hip and leg.

Mr Moore, who is a pastor and a graphic designer, said he still has issues with his right arm to this day.

“I still have this painful area underneath my right arm … it‘s hypersensitive and painful to touch,” he told the court.

“I use my right arm in graphic design with my mouse, so that part of my arm is resting on something when I’m using it, so it creates pain throughout the day.

“There is also shooting nerve pain up and down my forearm.”

Mr Moore also told the court he continues to suffer from headaches, neck pain and knee pain and has issues with vertigo, fatigue and loss of focus.

During cross-examination, Mr Moore was asked if he had sustained any injuries before this crash, and he replied no.

He also told the court he was in the process of a “civil matter”, which was a claim for damages after the incident.

Mr Moore was also asked if he submitted a WorkCover claim for an injury sustained on August 6, 2020.

“No ... the only thing I can think of is sometimes when I go to the GP the receptionist says ‘oh this is a WorkCover claim’, and I say ‘no, it’s a CTP claim’,” he said.

Brendon Paul Lidgard.

Mr Moore confirmed when questioned that he had a full-body scan done in August 2020.

Defence barrister Simon Buchen asked Mr Moore if he recalled being told at Liverpool Hospital after the accident that he would be ready for discharge on July 12, 2020, but it would be delayed to the next day as processes had been slowed down.

“I don’t think anyone ever said that to me,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Buchen asked Mr Moore if he had found out any more information about the fractured ribs that he was told.

Mr Moore told the court that in the last couple of weeks, an independent specialist referenced six fractured ribs, and when he said, “I thought it was nine”, he received no further answer from the doctor.

“When you were giving your evidence about the number of rib fractures, why did you leave this information out of your account,” Mr Buchen asked.

“Because I had written these statements before I had seen [the doctor] two weeks ago. I am not a medical practitioner. I don’t know how to read the scans,” Mr Moore responded.

“I had information from one medical practitioner, comment from another. I am not sure who is right.”

Mr Buchen said to Mr Moore he was not asked about his statements but what his understanding was.

“My understanding was I had nine fractures and a comment from someone else,” Mr Moore responded.

“I am not a medical practitioner.”

Mr Moore said he was told about rib fractures at Liverpool Hospital but did not remember if he was told the details.

He told the court that his ribs had repaired themselves.

The trial continues before Judge Andrew Colefax at Campbelltown District Court on Wednesday.