Truck driver who crashed into school bus found not guilty

Jamie Gleeson, the truck driver charged over the Eynesbury school bus crash, has been found not guilty of dangerous driving.

A truck driver who ploughed into the back of a school bus in Melbourne’s west has been found not guilty of dangerous driving causing serious injury.

Jamie Gleeson, 51, faced a two-week trial in the County Court after he crashed into the back of an Exford Primary School bus in Eynesbury in May 2023, seriously injuring seven children.

He was charged with seven counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury, but denied the allegations, claiming his vision was impaired by light flickering through the trees.

On Wednesday, the jury returned its verdict after less than two hours of deliberations, acquitting him of all charges.

Melbourne truck driver Jamie Gleeson was acquitted of all charges over the horrific collision. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

The trial heard the bus was travelling along Exford Road, about 45km west of Melbourne, before it slowed and indicated to turn right onto Murphys Road after school had finished on the afternoon of May 16, 2023.

Mr Gleeson was driving behind the bus, which was carrying 46 students, when he collided with it as it began to make the turn, causing the vehicle to spin and roll onto its side.

Prosecutors alleged the truck driver failed to keep a proper distance or pay enough attention in the lead-up to the crash.

Mr Gleeson denied the allegations, with the jury told his vision was limited by light flickering through the trees and he was unable to steer after his brakes locked up.

He later told police he did not see brake lights or the indicator of the bus until the moment before the crash and he thought it was like the vehicle had forgotten to turn.

The court heard the truck was also found to have faulty brakes, but Mr Gleeson was unaware they weren’t working properly at the time of the crash and the vehicle was regularly serviced.

Crash scene investigators determined the truck skidded for about 25m before the crash and hit the bus while travelling at 67km/h but it would have been slower if the brakes were working properly.

Mr Gleeson did not have drugs or alcohol in his system and there was no evidence to suggest he was speeding or using his phone in the lead-up to the crash.

Bus driver Graham Stanley gave evidence at trial, telling the jury he saw headlights in his rearview but could not make out what type of vehicle it was.

Images of the crash scene were shown to the jury during the trial.