Qld truckie Royce McCosker, 57, jailed after 2019 northern NSW crash into motorbike riders killed Mackay’s Wes ‘Pop’ Carlton

A Qld man who crashed into six motorbike riders in northern NSW - killing one man and injuring several more - has been slammed by a judge and locked up for eight years. Here’s how the tragedy happened.

Royce McCosker, 57, denied crossing the centre line before the smash which killed one club rider and injured several others.

A Queensland man who veered onto the wrong side of the road and smashed into six Harley Davidson club riders out on a Sunday cruise in northern NSW has been jailed for eight years.

Warwick truckie Royce McCosker’s actions killed Mackay’s Wesley ‘Pop’ Carlton, 56, and injured several other Sons Of The Southern Cross SMC riders.

McCosker was found guilty by a jury in August, 2023 following the shocking crash near Kyogle on October 20, 2019.

Royce McCosker, 57, has been jailed.

He faced Judge Jennifer English over videolink from behind bars at Campbelltown District Court on Friday.

McCosker had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death and three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

In December, rider Geoff ‘Wellsy’ Wells, 60, told Lismore District Court he suffered a raft of serious fractures in the crash and had to be put in an induced coma.

Meanwhile, rider Ken ‘Smiley’ Hyde, 57, and his wife were forced to abandon work to focus on his recovery for a year. Stephen ‘Browny’ Brown also suffered fractures.

Mr Wells and Mr Hyde were distraught and spoke of the pain of losing their mate Pop.

McCosker was travelling north to Warwick from Kyogle, about 40km northwest of Lismore when the crash occurred on Summerland Way about 1.45pm.

Wes 'Pop' Carlton. Picture: Facebook

Riders Mr Carlton, Mr Hyde, Mr Wells, Mr Brown, Peter ‘Wacky’ Williamson and James ‘Pom’ Powell were travelling south in staggered formation.

McCosker claimed he did not realise the riders were coming until the last moment.

The court found Mr Hyde motioned for McCosker to move back to his lane before the crash, which the riders desperately tried to avoid.

Sons of the Southern Cross Central Queensland chapter members James 'Knuckles' McGovern, Jason 'Ace' Thompson, James 'Pom' Powell, Bruce 'Bruza' Bines and Geoff 'Wellsy' Wells speaking in 2022 ahead of a memorial ride for Wes 'Pop' Carlton. Picture: Janessa Ekert/Daily Mercury

Court documents state McCosker’s Kia Rio hit Mr Hyde’s motorbike and he somersaulted off.

Mr Carlton, travelling behind, was struck head-on by the car, suffering catastrophic injuries.

The Kia spun into the path of Mr Wells and continued to careen over the road before finally coming to a rest.

Wes ‘Pop’ Carlton lost his life at the scene of the Kyogle, northern NSW crash. Picture: Emma Murray

Mr Brown swerved to avoid an impact and tried to power through debris, but fell to the road.

Mr Williamson and Mr Powell rushed to help and bystanders phoned triple-0.

Defence barrister Simon Apps told the court McCosker pleaded not guilty as a “coping mechanism”, but a psychological report showed remorse.

Judge English told the court there was “no way” McCosker did not see or hear the Harleys coming “at 100km/h”.

The wrecked Kia Rio. Picture: 7 News

McCosker’s Kia was over the centre line before the horror crash and the Crown said he was morally culpable due to inattention. They also pointed to prior speeding offences.

He suffered minor injuries and told police he “didn’t cross the line”, which he has maintained.

“Oh well, I’m positive I was on my side. That’s all I can say and if it’s wrong it’s wrong, but I’m a truck driver and I know where I was mate,” McCosker told authorities.

Judge English said there was a “total abandonment of the responsibility of a driver”.

The aftermath of the shocking northern NSW smash.

“This was not a case of momentary inattention … it was a nightmare for six motorcyclists with catastrophic consequences,” she said.

Judge English said it was “entirely inappropriate” for McCosker to describe offending as an “accident”.

Sons of the Southern Cross Central Queensland chapter members Peter 'Wacky' Williamson, James ‘Pom’ Powell and James 'Knuckle' McGovern thanked the community for their help after the crash which took Pop’s life in 2019. Picture: The Northern Star/Marc Stapelberg

The judge said McCosker was raised in an abusive home, but worked to become a “seasoned truck driver”.

However, has been convicted and fined five times across two states for drink driving alone.

Judge English sentenced McCosker to eight years jail with a non-parole period of five years, backdated to August 14, 2023.

He will be eligible for parole on August 13, 2028.

Originally published as Qld truckie Royce McCosker, 57, jailed after 2019 northern NSW crash into motorbike riders killed Mackay’s Wes ‘Pop’ Carlton