Peter Warner, Merrylands motorbike fatality: Benjamin Ives charged over death

The widow of an ex-Navy officer killed when a 4WD driver allegedly ran a red light and collided with his motorbike has come face to face with the accused for the first time.

Peter Warner and Clare Jennings at their wedding on April 6, 2014. Picture: Facebook

A man charged over the death of dedicated father and husband Peter Warner after a motorcycle crash at Merrylands on September 2 has fronted court.

Benjamin William Ives, 37, was in the same Fairfield court room where Mr Warner’s widow Clare Jennings attended with the support of a friend on Friday.

Ives was charged after the incident at the Merrylands Rd-Cumberland Highway intersection on September 2 after his Mitsubishi Pajero collided with Mr Warner‘s Suzuki Boulevard just after 5am.

Ms Jennings said her husband was on his way to work as a welder.

He was treated by paramedics and taken to Westmead Hospital but died from his injuries on September 13.

Peter Warner died aged 45. Picture: Facebook

Peter Warner was a Navy veteran and joined the service at 16.

On December 19, Ives attended Granville police station where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death (drive manner dangerous), negligent driving (occasioning death), and entering an intersection by crossing a red traffic arrow.

Outside court, Mrs Jennings fought back tears and said she thought her husband would survive the ordeal despite his right leg being amputated.

He had also suffered a dislocated elbow, back injuries and damaged wrists that required four surgeries.

“He was able to speak to us and it appeared that he was beginning to turn a corner,’’ she said.

“He was very accepting of his injuries and was in relatively good spirits apart from the pain.

“His last words to me were ‘Bring me something decent for dinner, the hospital food is horrible’.’’

Ms Jennings said the father of two and stepfather of one was a veteran with the Royal Australian Navy where he worked in a variety of roles, including as a ship mechanic, for 26 years until his retirement in 2017.

Benjamin Ives leaves Fairfield Court.

His bail was continued.

The Glenwood couple loved volunteering with Rotary Norwest Sunrise while Mr Warner, who was a motorcycle buff, volunteered with mental health organisation Black Dog Institute.

“He did the Black Dog Ride every year,’’ Ms Jennings said.

“He would help anyone with anything. He was such a generous man.’’

After meeting in 2011 and sharing a “silly sense of humour’’ the pair tied the knot in 2014.

“We miss him every day,’’ Ms Jennings said.

“He was a very dedicated family man.

“Christmas was extremely hard and of course Peter had his birthday just after he passed away so it’s been a difficult few months with important milestones.’’

Family friend Melanie Tilbrook praised Mr Warner.

“He’s a beautiful warm bear of a man,’’ she said.

Ives will return to court on March 24 so a brief can be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

His bail was continued and his conditions include living with his cousin at Canley Vale and reporting to Cabramatta police station three times a week.

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