Truck driver Brett Russell facing more serious criminal charges after Loreto College bus crash

A truck driver at the centre of a horror bus crash which left dozens of Loreto College schoolgirls injured is now facing more serious criminal charges – which carry a higher maximum penalty.

The school bus flipped on the Western Highway near Bacchus Marsh. Picture: Brendan Beckett

A truckie at the centre of a horror bus crash which left dozens of Loreto College schoolgirls injured is now facing more serious criminal charges.

Brett Russell, 60, has been charged with a staggering 80 offences after his truck crashed into the back of a school bus headed to Melbourne Airport on September 21, 2022.

The students from Loreto College Ballarat, who were in Year 9 to Year 12, were set to travel to the USA for a NASA space camp when their bus tumbled down a hill off the Western Freeway near Bacchus Marsh.

More than 30 people were on the bus – 27 students, four teachers and the bus driver – who suffered a range of injuries, including a near total amputation of a child’s foot.

Brett Russell was granted bail in January. Picture: Ian Currie

Prosecutor Mitchell Wilson told the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday a “substantial amount” of further charges had recently been filed against Mr Russell.

Charge sheets reveal the father of four is now facing 12 charges of recklessly causing serious injury, which each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.

He has also been charged 21 times with recklessly causing injury.

Mr Russell was initially charged with the offences of reckless conduct endangering life, negligently causing serious injury and dangerous driving causing serious injury – which carry maximum penalties of five or 10 years’ imprisonment.

However, Mr Wilson said many of the charges were in the “alternative”, meaning not all 80 will proceed.

Mr Russell’s prime mover was seen “weaving” through traffic management on the Western Freeway before it “swerved back” and hit the rear of the school bus. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Defence lawyer Emily Metcalfe, who appeared on Mr Russell’s behalf, told Magistrate Kieran Gilligan she was seeking an adjournment of four weeks.

Her request was granted and her client’s bail extended.

Mr Russell will return to court on August 31.

In January, a court heard “multiple fatalities” were only avoided because most of those on the bus were wearing seatbelts.

Senior Constable Holly Gibson told the court Mr Russell’s prime mover, with two trailers on the back, was seen “weaving” through traffic management on the Western Freeway before it “swerved back” and hit the rear of the school bus.

She said an analysis of Mr Russell’s vehicle showed both trailers he was towing had failed braking capacity tests, and only two out of six axles were working properly.

The court heard he moved from WA – where he has three adult children – to Victoria 18 months before the crash, and has a five-year-old son in Melbourne.