Townsville mayor Jenny Hill summonsed on motorcyclist’s death
Popular Townsville mayor Jenny Hill will face court over the death of a motorbike rider who collided with her car earlier this year.
Popular Townsville mayor Jenny Hill will face court over the death of a motorbike rider who collided with her car earlier this year.
The Labor mayor was issued on Friday with a notice to appear for driving without due care and attention, causing death.
It came nearly nine months after the death of motorcyclist Darryl Lynch, 33, who collided with the side of Ms Hill’s Holden Commodore at an intersection.
Townsville’s first female mayor, Ms Hill was elected for a third term in March after winning more than half the vote. She had served as a councillor before that, since 1997.
Pictures taken at the scene of the early-morning crash in the Townsville suburb of Aitkenvale on January 30 showed debris littering the road behind the car.
The destroyed motorbike was lying on its side a few metres behind the vehicle.
Ms Hill was treated for shock at the time.
Lynch was taken by paramedics to the Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition but later died.
Ms Hill confirmed the looming charge in a short statement issued by the Townsville City Council on Friday night. “This is an extremely difficult time for all involved and affected by the accident,” Ms Hill said.
“As it is a matter before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Ms Hill will appear before the Townsville Magistrates Court on October 31.
“Shortly before 8am, police and emergency services were called to a collision between a Holden Commodore and Suzuki motorcycle at the intersection of Nathan and Alfred streets,” police said in a statement on Friday.
“Witnesses, including an off-duty doctor, rendered first aid to the 33-year-old male rider before he was transported to Townsville Hospital, where he was declared deceased.
“The driver of the Holden Commodore, a 60-year-old Douglas woman, was not physically injured.”
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