Mechanic Bryce Dridan denied bail after allegedly killing Stawell Loosenats spectator, crashing Lamborghini into home

A court has heard how a mechanic with a “blatant disregard for the law” allegedly killed an 18-year-old at a Stawell motorsports event and crashed a Lamborghini while on drugs.

A mechanic allegedly killed a motor sports spectator and later crashed a luxury car into a Ballarat home, a court has heard.

Bryce James Dridan, 28 and of no fixed address, applied for bail at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being arrested the day prior.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Melanie Macfarlane of the Major Collision Investigation Unit told the court that on November 4, 2023 at the Loosenats competition hosted by Stawell Motor Sports Club, Mr Dridan allegedly hit and killed 18-year-old Pimpinio man Trent DeZoete.

She said he allegedly drove a modified ute with a passenger, exited the burnout area of the club, ran over a fire marshal’s foot, and entered a food court before colliding with Mr DeZoete.

Trent DeZoete

Ms Macfarlane said Mr Dridan allegedly did not check into the event, did not have his vehicle inspected, did not sign an event waiver, took his young daughter onto the burnout pad earlier in the day against the rules, and after running into Mr DeZoete, returned a positive result for methamphetamine.

Additionally, the court heard Mr Dridan did not make use of a tow truck or safety tyres near the burnout area which might have halted his vehicle.

Mr Dridan told police he lost his brakes, saying at the scene that he “went to pull off the pads” and “couldn’t stop”.

Witnesses at the scene, according to police, described his “blank expression”, saying he looked “wired”, “pissed off”, or “zoned out”.

“It was like he lined Trent up and went straight into him,” one person was quoted as saying.

“ … It just sounded so fast and happened so quick.”

Footage was said to have shown Mr Dridan pumping his brakes to try to slow the car.

Bryce Driden was allegedly behind the wheel of a Lamborghini that went through a fence and wall of an unoccupied unit on Ring Rd, Wendouree.

The court heard that prior to the incident at Stawell, Mr Dridan had been evicted from another driving event because of dangerous driving.

Mr Dridan’s licence was suspended in November 2023 but he was allegedly seen driving twice, speeding once, in January 2024.

After his suspension was lifted, he allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine when pulled over in a Lamborghini on April 16.

The court heard that last Friday, Mr Dridan was behind the wheel of a Lamborghini that crashed into a unit near the corner of Learmonth Rd and Ring Rd in Wendouree.

Video posted on social media showed the luxury car careering into the brick wall of a home after leaving a roundabout on Ring Rd about noon.

Mr Dridan allegedly lost traction deliberately and returned a positive preliminary drug test after the crash.

Prosecutors said Mr Dridan had a “long, long history of drug use” and allegedly received 10 penalty notices in the past decade or so for various actions, including driving without P-plates, using a mobile phone, speeding four times, and having an unrestrained passenger under 16.

They said three of his vehicles had been seized as evidence or impounded, but that Mr Dridan had access to a large number of cars through his work as a self-employed mechanic.

Damage done to the home on Ring Rd.

Police arrested Mr Dridan at his workplace on Monday and charged him with dangerous driving causing death, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, and failing an oral fluid test.

The court heard Mr Dridan’s home had been repossessed as he could not pay his mortgage.

His mother gave evidence to the court that her son’s mental health began to deteriorate after a friend killed himself and worsened following an injury Mr Dridan suffered on his motorbike.

She said it was “one thing after another”, adding that Mr Dridan’s repair shop had now closed, and offered, if he was granted bail, to have him at her home and employ him on the family farm.

But magistrate Guillaume Bailin said Mr Dridan, a father of two, had shown a “blatant disregard for the law and the community”.

“He’s put people at risk again and again and again,” he said.

Throughout the proceeding, Mr Dridan was quiet, but at times appeared emotional.

He was denied bail and will reappear at court on August 1.