Princes Hwy fatality: German tourist collided with motorbike rider in Sylvania

A German tourist who no longer has the right to stay in Australia will have to wait another six weeks to learn his fate for killing a motorbike rider in a tragic crash in Sydney’s south.

Jozsef Buglyo pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A German tourist who no longer has the right to stay in Australia will have to wait six more weeks to learn his fate for killing a motorbike rider in a tragic crash in Sydney’s south.

Jozsef Buglyo, 29, sobbed throughout his Sutherland Local Court appearance where he pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death.

Agreed facts tendered to court said Buglyo – who was born in Hungary but lived in Germany where he worked as an electrician – had arrived in Australia with his partner five days prior to the crash as part of a five week holiday.

Buglyo was driving with his partner in a Nissan along the Princes Hwy at Sylvania around 6pm on October 20.

He was stopped in a dedicated right hand turning lane for Formosa St waiting for traffic to clear.

Jozsef Buglyo will be sentenced in February.

Sean Carr, 55, was riding a Harley Davidson straight along the Princes Hwy and had a green light to proceed through the intersection.

Documents said Buglyo looked left for oncoming traffic then turned right into Formosa St but he failed to see the motorbike and they collided.

Mr Carr was thrown from the bike, traveled about 10m in the air before he hit a guardrail and traffic light landing on the grass beside the road.

The car’s airbags were deployed and the vehicle sustained significant damage.

Court documents state passersby began chest compressions to Mr Carr, who had stopped breathing, until emergency services arrived.

Mr Carr sustained a fractured pelvis, severe injuries to his ribs, lungs, head and leg and internal bleeding before he was airlifted to St George Hospital.

Buglyo was arrested and returned negative alcohol and drug tests.

During a police interview, Buglyo said he looked straight and left and when he did not see oncoming traffic, he turned and looked right but did not see the motorbike.

Mr Carr died the next morning.

The court heard Buglyo was on a tourist visa when the crash occurred.

After he was charged, he applied for a criminal justice visa, which is a special temporary visa so a person can lawfully return or remain if their presence in NSW is needed for the justice process.

Buglyo’s lawyer Christopher Parkin said the special visa was denied and therefore Buglyo was in the country unlawfully.

He said Buglyo – who required a German translator – was therefore unable to work, had depleted his savings and only had $200 left in his bank account.

Mr Parkin said his client had a “strong preference and wish” to know his fate and finalise the case on Tuesday, adding there were consequences if he continued to stay in Australia.

However, Magistrate Hugh Donnelly said a full sentence assessment report was required due to the fatality and therefore the case had to be adjourned for six weeks.

He also said the prosecution needed to make inquiries about whether a victim impact statement would be provided.

Buglyo will be sentenced on February 29.