Ryan Meuleman sues Daniel and Catherine Andrews in Federal Court over infamous 2013 crash
Ryan Meuleman has launched legal action against the former premier and his wife in a major escalation of the long-running saga.
Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine are being sued by the cyclist they allegedly mowed down in 2013.
Ryan Meuleman, who suffered serious injuries when his bike collided with the Andrews’ car on Blairgowrie street, lodged documents in the Federal Court on Tuesday.
The family have also revealed that their investigation team “will present” evidence on the case to the Chief Commissioner of Police in a major escalation of the saga.
Mrs Andrews was behind the wheel when the family’s SUV collided with Mr Meuleman, then 15, while Mr Andrews – who was then opposition leader – and their three kids were in the car.
Photographs revealed by the Herald Sun in 2022 show extensive damage to the front of Andrews’ car and its windscreen.
An Ambulance Victoria report detailed how the SUV “struck” Ryan while “travelling at 40 to 60km/h”.
The high profile incident, which has already been investigated as part of an anti-corruption probe, has long haunted the couple who have always denied any wrongdoing.
They have maintained that their Ford Territory was “T-boned” by the bike, while Mr Meuleman insists that the car was “speeding” and “seemed to come out of nowhere”.
In January, the Herald Sun revealed that the Meuleman’s were planning on launching federal court action against the Andrews’.
A statement from a representative of the family on Friday said: “Out of respect and deference to the Federal Court, Ryan and his family will not be publicly commenting on these new Defamation proceedings.
“Separately, Ryan continues to advocate for a full criminal investigation into the accident.
“His investigation team has been gathering new evidence which they will present to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in the coming weeks.”
Earlier this year, the Herald Sun also revealed that Mr Meuleman had pocketed a secret out-of-court settlement worth several hundreds of thousands of dollars over the incident.
Major law firm Slater & Gordon agreed to hand over the huge payout after Mr Meuleman alleged that his former lawyers had failed to properly investigate the crash, urged him to take $80,000 in compensation from the Transport Accident Commission and to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Last year, a probe by former Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations, Dr Raymond Shuey, found that the Andrews’ Ford Territory was “travelling at speed” and on the wrong side of the road when the crash occurred, and that Victoria Police had engaged in “an overt cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening” incident.
Dr Suey concluded that the police investigation was “deeply flawed”, “unfounded” and “contrary to the available evidence”.
An earlier anti-corruption probe however had cleared police of any wrongdoing.
In a statement responding to Dr Suey’s review, the Andrews’ said: “This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers.
“We are not a party to this legal action. We did nothing wrong. This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies.”
Mr Andrews have been contacted for comment.
