Man charged in connection to Eastern Freeway tragedy
Police have charged a trucking company employee as part of a sweeping investigation into the horrific Eastern Freeway smash that left four police officers dead.
Police & Courts
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A trucking company manager charged with four counts of manslaughter over the Eastern Freeway crash that killed four police officers was aware of the truck driver’s deteriorating mental and physical state, a court has been told.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives on Saturday detained Connect Logistics manager Simiona Tuteru, 49, who was released on bail in the evening during an out-of-sessions court hearing.
Mohinder Singh, who worked for Connect Logistics, was driving a truck that allegedly crossed lanes of traffic and hit the officers on April 22.
The court was told Mr Tuteru, a father of five, was made aware by associates that Mr Singh’s mental and physical state was deteriorating, caused by a significant lack of sleep and drug use.
The court heard Mr Singh told Mr Tuteru he was overtired and experiencing personal issues at home.
The transport supervisor asked Mr Singh to come into work before his shift that night to discuss his personal matters and suggested Mr Singh sleep before his scheduled poultry delivery, the court heard.
The prosecution told the court associates said, “he should not have been driving any sort of vehicle”.
Mr Tuteru’s lawyer said he “could not have been aware” of the full extent of Mr Singh’s personal issues. While on bail Mr Tuteru must continue to reside at his Frankston home and is not allowed to leave Victoria.
Detectives are trying to establish whether other parties bore any responsibility for what happened and whether they are criminally liable.
The members killed had been dealing with Richard Pusey, who had been pulled over for driving at high speed and was about to have his Porsche impounded.
Mr Singh, 47, has been charged with four counts of culpable driving causing the deaths of Leading Sen-Constable Lynette Taylor, Sen-Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney.
An ice pipe was allegedly later found in his truck.
Connect Logistics has been under intense scrutiny since the tragedy.
Investigators later raided premises in Croydon and Frankston as well as properties linked to Connect in Sydney.
Mr Pusey, who allegedly filmed himself taunting leading Sen-Const. Taylor as she lay dying, remains in custody.
He has also been charged with committing an act outraging public decency and behaving in an indecent or offensive manner.
Mr Pusey is expected to face another court hearing in coming weeks.