Andrew Whitlock allegedly “riding competitively” with mates, moments before horror collision
A Mooroolbark motorcyclist was allegedly riding competitively with mates moments before a tragic collision that killed one friend and left another rider fighting for life, a court has heard.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GoPro footage has captured an alleged 170km/h motorcycle collision in Melbourne’s east that killed one man and left anoother fighting for life, a court has heard.
Andrew Whitlock, 22, of Mooroolbark, allegedly rode his motorbike at high speeds alongside a 23-year-old Northcote man on Yarra Junction-Noojie Rd, Powelltown on January 8 when the collision occurred.
The court heard the Northcote man died after he collided head-on with an unrelated motorcyclist — a 77-year-old Croydon man who was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Mr Whitlock — who was not injured in the incident — was charged with culpable driving causing death, negligently causing serious injury, reckless conduct endangering life and other driving charges after the crash.
He fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where it was revealed Mr Whitlock, his deceased friend and another motorcyclist allegedly filmed parts of their ride, including the collision on a GoPro.
Mr Whitlock’s lawyer Avi Furstenberg said one expert witness who analysed the footage said his client and the 23-year-old Northcote man were “well below the speed limit” at the time of the collision.
Other evidence allegedly showed the riders travelled at speeds of up to 170km/h on January 8, which will form part of the prosecution case that alleges the two were “riding competitively”.
Experts who performed a crash reconstruction and witnesses of the incident will also be called to give evidence at the next court appearance.
Mr Whitlock will next front court for a committal hearing on December 11.
In court, Mr Whitlock’s bail conditions were also updated, allowing him to drive a car but not a motorcycle.
Government rejects council bid to ban commercial roo shooting
The state government has rejected a council’s push to end commercial kangaroo shooting in its rural areas, with locals accusing it of going “against democracy”.
Shock power bill hike coming for 230,000 Victorians
An electricity retailer has raised its Victorian prices for nearly a quarter of a million households. See if you’re affected and watch the video on how to get a better deal.