Probation for Zachary Forsyth after Brassall crash with motorbike

A Brisbane driver has been sentenced to probation after he crashed into a motorcyclist, causing severe injuries with lifelong impacts to the rider.

Zachary Aaron Forsyth leaves Ipswich courthouse on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Picture: Grace Koo

A Moreton Bay driver has been sentenced to probation after his car crashed with a motorbike which caused severe injuries to the rider.

Zachary Aaron Forsyth, 36, faced one count of driving without due care and attention or driving without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road causing grievous bodily harm.

The Griffin man pleaded guilty to the charge in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court heard that Forsyth proceeded to turn right on an intersection controlled by lights in Brassall last September, when a motorbike that was travelling straight struck the left hand side of Forsyth’s vehicle.

Police prosecutor senior constable Bridie O’Shea said it was the defendant’s responsibility to give way.

“It was coming at dusk. There was natural light, but it was fading,” she said.

“The cars including the victim’s bike and the defendant’s car had their headlights on.”

The court was told that Forsyth had no traffic history and was remorseful for what he described as a “quite stupid” act on the road.

Zachary Aaron Forsyth leaves Ipswich courthouse. Picture: Grace Koo

Acting Magistrate Robert Turra said the motorcyclist suffered significant injuries that may have lifelong impacts.

He said the biker described in his victim impact statement that his “life was thrown upside down”, he has been “constantly in pain” and unable to do things that he was previously able to do.

“You’re not charged with intentionally, recklessly or driving dangerously because it was at that period of perhaps momentary inadvertence, an error, certainly not driving with due care attention that’s required in normal circumstances,” he said.

He sentenced Forsyth to 10 months of probation and disqualified his driver’s licence for six months.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Probation for Zachary Forsyth after Brassall crash with motorbike