Cyclist in critical condition after Porsche allegedly runs red light in Fitzroy

A witness described seeing a “body flying in the air” after a Porsche driver hit a cyclist after allegedly speeding through a red light.

The female cyclist was struck in Fitzroy near the Capital City Trail. Picture: Andrew Tauber

A Porsche driver was seen travelling at “high speed” through Fitzroy before he hit a female cyclist who continues to fight for life in hospital, a court has heard.

Daniel Blight, 39, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to make a bid for bail after being charged over the shocking collision.

The court heard the Gold Coast man allegedly struck the woman at the intersection of St Georges Rd and Park St about 4.15pm on Wednesday after running a red light.

The cyclist, who was using the pedestrian crossing, was thrown onto the bonnet and sent “flying” as the Porsche driver slammed on the brakes.

At least two witnesses have provided police with statements describing “high-speed driving” by the accused prior to the collision in the 40km/h zone.

“I observed the white Porsche speed up more and heard a crash and saw a body flying in the air,” one witness said.

The cyclist, also 39, had been travelling along the Capital City Trail moments earlier, but now remains at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition.

The court heard Mr Blight’s licence has been suspended in Queensland because he lost all of his demerit points, which means he was unlicensed to drive in Victoria.

The father of two was remanded in custody after being charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, disobeying a red light and unlicensed driving.

Police are waiting on the results of a blood sample to confirm whether he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Senior Constable Patrick Guinan told the court he opposed Mr Blight being granted bail because he was a risk of fleeing the state and not answering bail.

He said it was “inevitable” that Mr Blight would one day be charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury because he has a long history of “dangerous driving”.

He has been found guilty of five driving offences over 16 years, including driving while disqualified and exceeding speed of more than 45km/h, Constable Guinan said.

According to Queensland court documents, Mr Blight was also handed a five-month suspended sentence in March 2023.

But Mr Blight’s defence barrister Christopher Terry said his client did not have an “extensive criminal history” and noted most of the offending occurred prior to 2015.

The court heard the tiler was in Victoria with his partner to visit friends.

Magistrate Olivia Trumble told the court she needed more information before either granting or opposing bail, including whether Mr Blight could pay a surety, before adjourning the matter.

He will return to court on Monday.