Widower fights for justice after 'shattering' court decision

A WIDOWER has vowed not to give up the fight for justice after the man found guilty of causing the death of his wife was acquitted of all charges.

SAD STORY: The Chronicle reports on the tragic death of 52-year-old Pamela Hedger in a motorcycle crash last year.

A WIDOWER has vowed not to give up the fight for justice after the man found guilty of causing the death of his wife was acquitted of all charges.

On May 8, 2012 David Hedger was riding his motorcycle ahead of new wife, Pamela Hedger, east on the Warrego Hwy near Brigalow when tragedy struck.

The motorcycling enthusiasts were on their honeymoon and taking part in a charity bike ride.

"We had a rider two-way communication unit," Mr Hedger said.

"Pamela had it on that night. All I heard was 'oh' and then it went dead."

The justice system is so wrong; there's no justice in the system

A Falcon sedan being driven by Adrian Mason Manuel crossed the path of Ms Hedger's motorcycle.

The 52-year-old died at the scene.

Five days later, 40-year-old Mr Manuel was convicted of driving without due care and attention.

He was fined $4000 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for two months.

That conviction, however, has been overturned by the District Court of Queensland.

Mr Hedger only found out about the appeal last week after a friend bought it to his attention via Facebook.

"I'm devastated," he said.

"I have been crying everyday since.

"The justice system is so wrong; there's no justice in the system.

"I have written letters to my local members, the Premier's department, the police commissioner and the (Queensland) governor."

Mr Hedge was alarmed that he and the original investigating officer from Dalby police station were not informed of the appeal lodged by Mr Manuel.

The Brisbane court heard how Mr Manuel was driving west from Brisbane about 10pm when he saw the oncoming headlights of Mr and Mrs Hedger's motorcycles.

He thought the two lights belonged to one vehicle and moved off the side of the road on to the gravel edge to avoid what he believed would have been an imminent head-on collision.

Mr Manuel then lost control of his car which veered on to the wrong side of the road and into the path of Mrs Hedger's motorcycle.

"I find there is no evidence that the appellant, in moving his vehicle to the left and off the bitumen surface to avoid what he believed was a car travelling on his side of the road, did so at a speed where it was not safe to do so," Judge Marshall Irwin said.

"I am not satisfied the appellant failed to exercise the degree of care and attention that a reasonable and prudent driver would have exercised in the circumstances."

Mr Manuel was also awarded costs.

Originally published as Widower fights for justice after 'shattering' court decision