Wilfred Tayag jailed for negligent driving causing motorcyclist injuries in Taren Point

An accountant has been jailed for proceeding through an intersection when he could not properly see which caused “life-changing” injuries for an innocent motorcyclist in Sydney’s south. WARNING: Distressing content.

An accountant has been jailed after he caused a man a “life-changing” traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures which required surgery and sight issues, after he failed to give way and collided with a motorcyclist.

Wilfred Tayag, 33 of Forest Lodge, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court after he pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm and not give way to vehicle.

He immediately appealed the sentence and was granted bail to await the outcome.

Agreed facts reveal Tayag was driving a Volkswagen Passat at Caringbah on September 8 and stopped at a give way sign on Bay Rd, to turn onto Taren Point Rd.

Tayag made the turn without giving way and collided with motorcyclist Alexander Hess who was flung into the air and over the car’s bonnet.

Police believe Tayag didn’t see Mr Hess because a turning vehicle had obscured his vision.

Wilfred Tayag was jailed for his negligence that caused the crash.

Mr Hess was initially unconscious, with bystanders rushing to his aid, before emergency services arrived. He sustained a number of serious injuries, including fractures to the skull, a dislocated and fractured pelvis, a fractured eye socket, damage to nerves behind his eyes, a damaged pituitary gland, a fractured jaw, fractures to his right tibia and fibula.

The victim required surgery to put pins and plate into his pelvis, leg and arm, and was in an induced coma for 11 days.

Mr Hess, who had been a fly-in, fly-out worker on the Snowy Mountain Hydro project, could not remember the collision and was discharged in January.

A St George Hospital specialist trauma doctor detailed the extent of Mr Hess’ injuries which included multiple surgeries and long recovery times.

As a result of the skull fracture, he developed cranial nerve palsy which caused him double vision, visual field loss with partial blindness causing tunnel vision, a significant traumatic brain injury and memory loss which required brain rehabilitation.

Magistrate Philip Stewart said Mr Hess had “catastrophic injuries” which were “life-changing” and would require prolonged or lifelong care and support, causing “an irreversible change” from his previous life given he would unlikely be able to drive or return to the same work.

Wilfred Tayag made the turn without giving way and collided with motorcyclist Alexander Hess. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hess requires daily assistance from a carer at his home and undertakes physiotherapy two times a week; and struggles to walk for more than five minutes.

The court heard Tayag maintained the collision was “accidental” but accepted he was impatient and irresponsible.

“To attempt the right-hand turn in the circumstances where Tayag’s ability to see to his right was compromised was grossly and highly negligent,” Mr Stewart said.

“His driving fell gravely short of what ought be expected of a reasonable and prudent driver.”

Mr Stewart took into account Tayag’s lack of criminal history and minor traffic offences, noting he had good prospects of rehabilitation and was unlikely to reoffend.

Tayag was sentenced to a full-time jail sentence of six months and two weeks to make him accountable for his actions and recognise the harm to Mr Hess.

A non parole period of four months was set and he was disqualified from driving for 18 months.