Shaun Bartlett allegedly killed mate with car in Stonehaven paddock

A drunken drive to get pizza and more beer ended in tragedy in a Stonehaven paddock on Saturday night, a court has heard.

Accused man Shaun Bartlett allegedly ran over and killed close friend Justin Willman.

A MAN was “next-level” drunk and on his way to get pizza and beer when he allegedly ran over and killed his friend in a Stonehaven paddock on Saturday night, a court has been told.

Shaun Bartlett, 42, faced Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday charged with culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Bartlett was allegedly behind the wheel of the car that struck 52-year-old Bannockburn man Justin Willman on the property near Fyansford-Gheringhap Rd just after 9.30pm.

It was alleged Mr Bartlett got into the ute after drinking beer and rum “straight from the bottle” and was planning to drive to his house to get pizza and more beer.

The court heard a witness, who was drinking with the two, said they were “next-level drunk”.

The witness said the two men were “bantering” and in “good spirits” moments before the fatality.

He said Mr Bartlett appeared to be “struggling” with the manual gearstick when he climbed into the car.

Mr Bartlett then took off in the wrong direction, the witness claimed. The man said he then looked back and saw Mr Willman on the ground.

He alleged to police Mr Bartlett had “backed up and ran him over”.

Bannockburn father Justin Willman has died after being run over by a ute on a farm outside Geelong.

Police and SES at the Stonehaven paddock, located just off Geringhap-Fyansford Rd. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Willman was found with severe head injuries consistent with being run over, the court heard.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said it was a “very tragic death”.

“This is a most serious offence in which a death has occurred,” Ms Hodgson said.

Police found Mr Bartlett on the ground beside the ute.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detective senior constable Rebecca Gauci said Mr Bartlett was intoxicated and had “no knowledge of what had taken place”.

In aerial shots of the scene, the paddock was shown to be covered in tyre tracks.

SES members at the crash scene on Sunday. Picture: Mark Wilson

Tributes poured in for Mr Willman, who was beloved in the local motorcycle community.

A spokesperson with Motion Motorcycles said Mr Willman’s “chats and advice and laughs will be sadly missed”.

The Motorcycle Shed in Newtown added it was a “sad day for the local motor community”.

“A great man and an excellent mechanic that will be missed by us and many,” a spokesperson said on their Facebook page.

Mr Bartlett was granted bail and will appear at the Geelong Magistrates Court in June.

Originally published as Shaun Bartlett allegedly killed mate with car in Stonehaven paddock