Matthew Langley: Man’s negligent driving charge dismissed after horror crash in Bondi

A luxury car race through the streets of Bondi sent a local’s car – reversing out of its driveway – into an out-of-control spin before it hit and injured a motorcyclist. Find out what unfolded in court.

A Corvette and Lamborghini race through the streets of Bondi landed an unlucky local resident in court after one of the luxury cars smashed into his Subaru while he reversed out of his driveway.

Despite not being involved in the race, Matthew Langley faced Waverley Local Court on Wednesday charged with one count of negligent driving.

The charge came after his car was hit by the Corvette, forcing it into an out of control spin before it hit a motorcyclist.

The motorcyclist suffered a compound fracture with the bone protruding from his lower leg.

The unfortunate situation landed Mr Langley in court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

The multi-vehicle crash on Bondi Rd. Picture: Supplied

However, despite his admission of guilt, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge dismissed the matter and he avoided a conviction.

Police facts state Matthew Langley was exiting a driveway, where he regularly parks his car on Bondi Rd on November 26 last year, while Francesco Musarra was seated on his Vespa after dropping his partner in a nearby building.

Another angle of the crash. Picture: Supplied

He was waiting for a red light, aware of Mr Langley’s car exiting the driveway.

Mr Langley believed the road was clear and, as he began “slowly exiting”, a Grey Corvette “with no time to react” collided with his Subaru Forester.

It caused the Corvette’s driver to hit a parked car as Mr Langley’s Subaru collided with Mr Musarra who suffered an “immediate compound fracture to his right leg”.

He fell to the ground in agony as bystanders assisted him.

Police arrived to the scene several minutes later with paramedics already assisting Mr Musarra who was found laying on his stomach “with a bone protruding from his lower leg”.

The scene of the crash with the red Vespa on the ground. Picture: Supplied

As police approached Mr Langley, sat in the front of his car, they found him “suffering from shock” and he was later “vomiting” as a result.

Both men were taken to hospital with Mr Musarra undergoing several surgeries.

Ms Milledge told the court on Wednesday it was a “very different scenario” than she usually saw and said “what a poor bike rider caught up in that”.

The court heard from Mr Langley’s barrister who said witnesses saw a Lamborghini and the Corvette racing.

He said his client was “devastated” and it was a “classic example of a tragedy” where life can change in an instant.

“The reality is Mr Langley was the one (where) his car was hit with such force … (it) spun around … (and hits the) poor chap on his motorcycle,” the barrister said.

“Then that Corvette pulverises the Volkswagen Golf.”

Ms Milledge accepted “he was only coming out of his driveway”.

Mr Langley’s barrister said the Lamborghini’s driver had a Chinese driver’s licence and only held a NSW learner’s licence.

He told the court his client had taken the matter seriously, which was again acknowledged by Ms Milledge.

“I see this for what it is … speed was an issue … (it) wasn’t an issue for you, it was for the Corvette,” she said.

“What awful circumstances … what a beautiful car to be driven by a fool.”

The magistrate told Mr Langley he “did everything you could” and he didn’t deserve to be punished, saying he was committed to checking up on Mr Musarra’s welfare.

The matter was ultimately dismissed.