Court: Mohammad Abdulamir pleads not guilty to Dookie cycling crash charges
A traffic controller accused of allowing a truck onto a road closed for a cycling time trial resulting in a woman being seriously injured will stand trial.
Goulburn Valley
Don't miss out on the headlines from Goulburn Valley. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Shepparton traffic controller who is accused of allowing a truck to career into the path of a cyclist leaving her with “life threatening and life changing” injuries during a bike race will stand trial.
Mohammad Abdulamir has been accused of allowing the truck to enter the intersection of Dookie-Nalinga and Dookie-Devenish Rds, which was closed for a masters time trial on August 21, 2023.
Cyclist Rhianon Carey-Norton then rode over a hill and collided head-on with the semi-trailer resulting in serious injuries.
Magistrate Amina Bhai said while serious is the legal definition of the injuries sustained it was a “gross understatement” when they were “life threatening and life changing”.
She said the mother of two was healthy, active, talented and determined ahead of the event, as evident by her participation in the race.
“Not only did her life change forever but also for all those who love her,” she said.
The court heard Mr Abdulamir repeatedly told the truck driver he could not enter the closed road.
However, due to the truck’s size the driver said he would need to do a U-turn or a three-point-turn to turn around and detour around the closed road, the court heard.
While there was no evidence of Mr Abdulamir allegedly verbally directing the truck onto the road, dashcam footage allegedly showed him making a gesture with his left arm as the truck started moving.
The court heard that truck driver John Weldon did not recall Mr Abdulamir waving him onto the road.
Ms Bhai said the fact Mr Weldon, who was not injured and remained at the scene, did not see the gesture did not mean the action did not endanger another person.
The court heard that as the truck turned left to begin turning Ms Carey-Norton rode over the hill before she was struck by the truck head-on.
The court heard due to race circumstances Ms-Carey Norton would have likely had her head down and would have not seen the truck coming.
She said the primary issue for her to consider was if there was evidence that guiding the truck onto the road endangered life and if a reasonable person would have realised the conduct would place another at risk.
Mr Abdulamir initially faced four charges but Ms Bhai struck out a charge of perjury and of negligently causing injury.
When asked by Ms Bhai what he would plead, Mr Abdulamir said not guilty to all charges.
Ms Carey-Norton was injured just one week after she spoke at a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into road safety that highlighted the extreme risks cyclists face on roads.
He will appear in the Melbourne County Court on February 28 for the charges of recklessly engaging in conduct placing a person in danger of serious injury and in danger of death.
His bail was extended.
Charges laid over alleged Benalla stabbing
A Benalla man has been charged over an alleged stabbing which left his alleged victim with life-threatening injuries.
Pictures: Victorian preppies start their first day of school
About 70,000 Victorian grade prep students have started their first year of school this week. Check back to see all the photos from primary schools across the state.