Sydney real estate agent Bishnu Rimal sentenced for horror crash at Rouse Hill

A Sydney real estate agent almost killed his female passenger and left two other motorists seriously injured after crashing his work car while exceedingly drunk.

A Sydney real estate agent almost killed his female passenger and left two other motorists seriously injured after crashing his work car while exceedingly drunk.

Bishnu Rimal was driving the BMW i4 coupe at Rouse Hill just after 9.30pm on March 26, 2023 when he collided at speed with a Mazda CX9 waiting to turn into the driveway of an industrial complex along Withers Rd.

Rimal’s passenger, Shanta Kharal, suffered fractures to her face and spine and had extensive internal injuries, according to court documents.

She underwent surgery and required a blood transfusion, with doctors saying she would have died if not for the emergency medical intervention.

Yet despite almost losing her life and suffering ongoing medical issue as a result of Rimal’s criminal behaviour, Ms Kharal took the extraordinary step of begging for mercy on behalf of her long-time friend.

CCTV of the horror crash.

Ms Kharal penned a letter to NSW District Court Judge Huw Baker SC, asking him to show leniency when sentencing Rimal this week.

“Since the accident, Bishnu has expressed deep regret and responsibility for his actions,” she said.

“I understand the seriousness of driving under the influence and I don’t take this lightly.

“However, given Bishnu’s remorse and the personal growth I’ve witnessed since the accident …. A sentence focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment would, in my opinion, help him turn this tragic situation into an opportunity for growth and positive change.”

According to court documents, Rimal and the woman had been drinking at The Australian Brewery at Rouse Hill for more than four hours when Rimal stumbled to his car and got in the driver’s seat.

CCTV footage shows the crash occurred just four minutes after Rimal left the pub.

The video, obtained by police and aired in court, showed the moment both cars collided, sending the Mazda spinning out and Rimal’s BMW spearing into a nearby tree.

Harcourts Kellyville real estate agent Bishnu Rimal was sentenced on Wednesday.

Witnesses extracted the driver of the Mazda and his 17-year-old son from the wreckage.

Both were taken to hospital with serious injuries including internal bleeding, multiple bone fractures and lacerations.

Officers who arrived on the scene said Rimal had bloodshot eyes and appeared confused and disorientated with slurred speech.

A subsequent blood test revealed he had an alcohol reading of 0.153 – more than three times the legal limit.

The court heard Rimal was working for Ultimate Realty Group at the time and the BMW was a work car registered in the company name.

When questioned, Rimal claimed he had only had two beers before driving.

Rimal was arrested in May and charged with two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and one count of causing bodily harm by misconduct in a motor vehicle, to which he pleaded guilty.

The court heard Rimal had been experiencing intense pressure in his personal and professional life at the time, including an unexpected medical diagnosis for a close family member.

“At the time I was overwhelmed by many people’s struggles … and financial difficulties that ultimately led to the closure of my business,” he said.

“Since … I have found a new job and am working hard to rebuild my life for my family.

“I have given up drinking and have learned these life lessons the hard way.

“I am truly sorry for my actions and can assure the court I will never make this mistake again.”

The court heard Rimal was now working as the business development manager at Harcourts Kellyville and had the support of owner Raj Bhandari, who said he was a “valued and integral member” of the team.

Rimal was sentenced in Parramatta District Court where Judge Baker nearly sent him to full-time custody by placing him on an intensive correction order for two years and eight months.

In addition to the ICO, Rimal was ordered to complete 500 hours of community service under the supervision of Windsor Community Corrections.

Judge Baker also ordered Rimal continue his mental health care plan as laid out by his doctor.

Rimal is barred from driving until March 2026, some three years after the crash.