Police officer charged over crash that killed bus driver Alex Leonello
Andy Leonello was killed on impact in the collision with a police car at Llandilo in Sydney. Now a police officer has been charged.
Police & Courts
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The family of an elderly bus driver killed in a collision with an unmarked police car say they are pleased by the charging of an officer over his death.
Andy Leonello, 76, was killed on impact in the collision with a NSW Police car at Llandilo in Sydney’s north west on May 24 this year.
Police launched a critical incident investigation and after three months charged a 40-year-old male sergeant from a specialist command with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving.
Mr Leonello’s brother Joe told The Daily Telegraph he was glad police had investigated the matter, but “it won’t bring my brother back”.
“He (Andy) never sped or did stupid things with the bus. Dashcam and everything showed he was under the speed limit,” he said.
“He was just at the wrong place at the wrong mate.
“It’s been difficult and I just lost my wife. I lost two (loved ones) in two months. I lost a brother and a wife.
“(I’m) just barely (holding up). I’ve got good support in the family and the kids … but it hurts.”
The tragic accident occurred at the intersection of Third and Fifth Avenues in Llandilo about 7.20am.
Mr Leonello had long driven daytrips and coach tours for his company AL Tours.
The sergeant involved in the incident was not on a police pursuit at the time.
He suffered minor facial injuries, and was taken to Westmead Hospital where he underwent mandatory testing.
He was handed a court attendance notice to face Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday, October 18.
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