Two on motor scooter die in horrific crash in Kingsgrove

A bus driver was allegedly caught on CCTV using his phone, putting on his seatbelt, peering out the side window and finally adjusting his mirrors before he crashed at full speed into a motor scooter rider and his passenger, instantly killing them both.

• Man charged after allegedly honking police horses in Sydney
• Spurned lover allegedly threatened to ‘saw man in half’

A bus driver was allegedly caught on CCTV using his phone, putting on his seatbelt, peering out the side window and finally adjusting his mirrors before he crashed at full speed into a motor scooter rider and his passenger, instantly killing them both.

Luis Rojas, 49, was on his way from the Transit Systems depot in Kingsgrove to Hurstville to begin the 491 route to Earlwood at 8.05pm on Monday night when he allegedly ran up the back of Su-Po Hsu and Kuan-Wei Chen on Kingsgrove Rd, ejecting them as they waited to turn right with the blinker illuminated.

Police believe one of the men was allegedly thrown into the path of an oncoming car and struck and the other was struck, trapped and dragged by the vehicle.

The rider and his passenger suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Picture: TNV

At Sutherland Local Court Magistrate Jayeann Carney said police facts allege Rojas was captured on the bus’ CCTV cameras driving distracted for approximately 700m before the crash.

“The accused has failed to observe the stationary scooter of the victim and has impacted the back of the scooter without braking,” Ms Carney said.

“The defendant through his inattentive behaviour as alleged has run up the back of two people in the community going about their business, turning right...causing two fatalities.”

The driver of the bus and the car were both taken to hospital for mandatory tests. Picture: TNV

Relatives and business colleagues walk from the court after hearing outside Sutherland Court.

Rojas was refused bail and will return to Sutherland Local Court on March 26, although the prosecutor had not opposed bail if Rojas was to be forbidden from driving while he was at liberty.

The bus cameras, which capture the passenger area, the driver’s seat and the external view at the front and rear of the vehicle, allegedly captured the entire incident as it unfolded both inside and outside the bus.

“He is seen taking his eyes off the roadway and looking out the side mirrors,” Ms Carney said.

“He then moves his hands to the control to alter the mirror and he is not looking in the direction he is travelling.”

The scooter driver was travelling south on Kingsgrove Rd with a male passenger. Picture: TNV

The court heard Rojas had previously been found guilty of using a mobile phone while driving in 2002, in addition to other minor traffic offences.

Rojas has no other criminal record and Ms Carney said he could be considered a person of good character.

“However, there would be an unacceptable risk he would endanger the community,” Ms Carney said.

“I’m satisfied on the balance of probabilities that he could commit a serious offence.”

Rojas has held a licence since 1995 and the court heard he is responsible for the care of his family including his wife, who suffers from anxiety.