Truck driver Shpetim Shpetimi ‘didn’t notice’ hitting parked cars, building in Gawler, court told
A truck driver who allegedly hit two parked cars and a building in Gawler before leaving the scene was driving with the “highest level of incompetence”, a court has heard.
A WA truckie was driving with the “highest level of incompetence” and “didn’t notice” when his road train left a trail of destruction down Gawler’s main street, a court has heard.
On Monday, Magistrate David White heard a bail application for Shpetim Shpetimi, 57, after his arrest over the late-night crash on Friday, in which he allegedly smashed into two parked cars, a heritage building and then left the scene.
Police prosecutors alleged Mr Shpetimi’s explanation of events “at their best” still displayed the “highest level of incompetence” behind the wheel.
“What was the explanation given to police as to why he didn’t stop? He didn’t notice,” prosecution said.
“On the face of it, we have a driver who has done an enormous amount of damage and not realised it.”
The court heard Mr Shpetimi, of Lake Coogee in Western Australia, learnt about the crash after being contacted by his son who had seen video online.
The court further heard Mr Shpetimi contacted his employer and was told to “keep driving” onwards to Melbourne because the crash was “an insurance issue”.
Mr Shpetimi was arrested in Sedan, 55km away from the spot where his road train crashed into two parked cars and the roof of a heritage building on Murray St, in Gawler, north of Adelaide about 10pm on Friday, December 27.
After the crash, he allegedly left the scene near the intersection of Commercial Lane and drove on.
The incident was witnessed by patrons of the Exeter Hotel across the road and capture on their phones and CCTV.
Counsel for Mr Shpetimi submitted her client had never been involved in a crash before and drove trucks to make a living, and wished to continue to support his family by driving trucks.
She submitted a guarantor could be provided, Mr Shpetimi would reside at a South Australian address, and her client could surrender their passport to police.
Mr White released Mr Shpetimi on supervised bail to an Enfield address and included the condition he not be in the driver’s seat of a heavy vehicle for the duration of his bail agreement.
His driver’s licence was not subject to any disqualifications.
The matter returns to court in January next year.
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Originally published as Truck driver Shpetim Shpetimi ‘didn’t notice’ hitting parked cars, building in Gawler, court told
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