Ben Geoffrey Murdoch, 49, faces court in relation to fatal motorcycle crash

A truck driver who denied knowing he had been involved in a fatal collision with a motorbike has allegedly been captured commenting on the tragedy in the immediate aftermath, as he reportedly fled the scene.

The scene of the crash at Viola Place. Picture: 7NEWS

A truck driver who denied knowing he had been involved in a fatal collision with a motorbike was captured by his own dashcam exclaiming “f***ing idiot” at the time of the alleged collision, and seconds later saying “[he] came right out into the side of me”, a court has heard.

Ben Geoffrey Murdoch, 49, was charged following the death of 48-year-old motorcyclist Troy Adam Barton after the two vehicles collided on Viola Place near Brisbane Airport around 5.30am on August 11 last year.

Mr Barton – a Kippa Ring father, ex-Army veteran, and motorcycle enthusiast – died at the scene and police say the truck involved fled the scene.

This prompted police to release footage of the vehicle they were searching for within hours and officers found and inspected Mr Murdoch’s white prime mover later that day.

Mr Murdoch was charged 13 days after the crash with two offences – failing to remain at the scene and show proper respect to the deceased, and failing to exhibit respect to the deceased while showing callous disregard.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges at a hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed told the court there is no suggestion that Mr Murdoch was at fault for the crash, but he is accused of failing to stop as he was required to.

Mr Theed said when police caught up with Mr Murdoch after the crash he told officers at the time that he was unaware of what had taken place.

Truck driver Ben Geoffrey Murdoch, 49, leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court after pleading not guilty to failing to remain at the scene and show proper respect to the deceased, and failing to exhibit respect to the deceased while showing callous disregard. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

However, among the prosecution’s evidence is footage downloaded from Mr Murdoch’s truck dashcam, which Mr Theed said allegedly “depicts the incident”.

“The defendant can be heard to say ‘f***ing idiot’ immediately after the collision, as well as approximately a minute and a half after the collision words to the effect of ‘f***ing idiot came right out into the side of me’,” Mr Theed told the court during Monday’s hearing.

The case was set to have a hearing on Monday, with the potential for an immediate verdict. But an issue arose regarding part of the dashcam footage.

The dashcam automatically split the footage and audio it recorded into three-minute pieces.

The first recording, allegedly containing the first “f***ing idiot” remark, had already been disclosed to Mr Murdoch by the prosecution. But the second recording, allegedly containing the further comment, had not been provided to Mr Murdoch prior to Monday.

Mr Murdoch, who legally represented himself at Monday’s hearing, asked for the case to be adjourned to allow him time to seek legal advice on the second recording.

The magistrate agreed, describing the new piece of evidence as “significant”. The case was adjourned and delayed by almost two months.

Troy Barton, the motorcyclist who died after the tragic crash near Brisbane Airport on August 11, 2023. Picture: Facebook

During a review of the case last week, the prosecution unsuccessfully tried to get Monday’s hearing pushed back after witness availability issues suddenly arose.

The police officer who inspected Mr Murdoch’s truck and downloaded footage from its dashcam was on leave on Monday and travelling outside of Brisbane.

The officer was required to be in court on Monday to allow for the footage he recovered as evidence to be used. But the officer was one of two missing witnesses on Monday.

“My understanding is that they [the investigating officer] may not have made inquiries with the other officers, or not informed them of the hearing date,” Mr Theed said last week.

“There is dashcam footage from Mr Murdoch’s truck that includes audio that is being relied upon by the prosecution.

“[The officer] also speaks to his observations of the vehicle such as paint transfer and some other matters, alleged to prove that Mr Murdoch’s vehicle was the one involved.”

The case will have another hearing on November 20.

Originally published as Ben Geoffrey Murdoch, 49, faces court in relation to fatal motorcycle crash