Cyclist dies after Mentone collision

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Permalink Reply by brycerider on December 30, 2008 at 9:15pm

Driver has been charged with culpable driving and remanded in custody

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Permalink Reply by MFord on December 31, 2008 at 11:52am

This is a horrendous tragedy that barely received any news coverage, yet other accidents involving booze and speed make headlines.....it also compares nothing to the likes of the media saga when a cyclist tragicaly killed the elderly gentlemen a few years back....there is no balance. This cyclists life is just as valuable as anyone elses whether they are a cyclist, pedestrian or driver. Thoughts go out to the brother and family at this terribly hard time.

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Permalink Reply by ChrisS on January 9, 2009 at 12:12pm

In the light of this news (see below) its rather difficult to type a reasonable polite response. So here's the news article for your perusal.

NB: note to the Hun online sub-editors - FFS, use a fecking spell checker of some description.


Court hears bike crash accused has serious drug addiction (January 08, 2009 04:30pm)

A DRIVER charged with killing a cyclist on Beach Road on Christmas Eve had a serious drug and alcohol addiction, a court heard today.

Luke Adam Shields, 31, is charged with culpable driving after he allegedly struck and killed cyclist Sean Brindle, 35, of Western Australia, who was riding in Mentone with his brother.

Mr Brindle died in the Alfred Hospital from the injuries, his brother Alun was also injured in the crash.

Mr Shields, of Mentone, today applied for bail at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

The court heard he had a longstanding drug and alcohol problem and prior speeding and drink- driving matters.

Mr Shields had a long history of substance abuse and was a "mess" when arrested after the alleged incident, the court was told.

Leading Senior Constable Trevor Collins from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said Mr Shields was a risk to the community if released and should remain in custody where he could seek appropriate help for his drug addiction.

"I have concerns he won't undertake those programs if released into the community," he said.

The court heard if granted bail Mr Shields would live in a Clayton boarding house.

Sen-Constable Collins opposed the scenario, telling the court people with similar drug habits would also live at the house.

"They get released into the community and as soon as they are, they are back on it. My concerns are not only for the community but his (Mr Shields) health."

Defence lawyer Terry Strong said Mr Shields had serious drug and alcohol issues but had obeyed bail conditions in the past.

"There is nothing to suggest Mr Shields is a drug crazed maniac who will burst through the prison doors as soon as he is released and grab a flagon of wine," Mr Strong said.

"Certainly when Mr Shields was arrested he was a mess.. but a psychologist is of the opinion his situation is such he can be treated in the community."

Magistrate Maurice Gurvich will hand down his decision tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by RobE on January 9, 2009 at 10:11pm

ummm... how can people with serious drug and alcohol addictions be given the option to continue to drive a car have access to a lethal weapon?. When was this guy diagnosed?, Just Now!!!, rubbish, someone knew, he was an alcoholic and a drug addict, and still has a driving licence?..Umm HELLO? How many have died on the roads due to the continued permission to drive when they shouldnt... it isnt just drugs and alcohol, but they are a huge problem in themselves, identifiable and easily removed from the road, but also in the case of repeat offenders ... and the likely repeat offenders because of existing diagnosis of inabilities to manage a car safely.
I quote the death of Scott Peoples as a prime example of failure by authority to remove a driver from the road after he ran down a rider, was pronounced medically suspect to continue to drive because of medication, advanced age, deteriorating vision and difficulty remembering where he was or what he was doing, but got off , was allowed to go back on the road and did the same thing again this time killing the cyclist he " didnt see" , that every other driver in the vicinity had no trouble "seeing". The driver is now " legally " blind and cannot drive, it's too late for Scott Peoples.
The sooner the lethal weapon status of motorised vehicles is recognised the sooner the roadkill we see yearly will stop. Pre-emptory action is necessary, driving isnt a right... it isnt even a necessity for most, as walking, cycling and public transport alternatives will meet most personal mobility needs, but impatience, and selfishness and laziness mean most drivers "expect" their car to be there for them and as they also form the magistrates, legislators, and big business promotors of cars and police enforcers of our laws too, we have a society that legislates to socially accept this form of wanton killing...
I'm for zero tolerance... bit rough...NO, what price is the life of your child worth. Someone unfit to drive kills your loved one and we accept it as " oh, well it could happen to anyone" ... no it shouldnt...

enough is enough... as was said in " Network" this is somthing we all should be saying, LOUDLY... " I'm as mad as hell!, and I'm not going to take it anymore!!!."

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Permalink Reply by RobE on January 14, 2009 at 6:40pm

Paris has this re-think on street design and accompanied by a simple code on libility-you arer resonsible for any other road user lighter than you are., see this STREETFILM just released.

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Permalink Reply by Adrian Tritschler on January 9, 2009 at 1:26pm

According to The Age the driver had a blood alcohol reading of 0.221 and was on LSD at the time.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/bail-refused-over-fatal-christmas...

Bail refused over fatal Christmas Eve crash

* Kate Hagan
* January 9, 2009 - 12:43PM

A drink-driver allegedly high on drugs when he crashed into two brothers cycling along Beach Road in Mentone on Christmas Eve, killing one of them, has been refused bail.

Magistrate Maurice Gurvich said Luke Adam Shields, 31, would pose an unacceptable risk to the public if released on bail.

Mr Shields had a blood alcohol reading of 0.221 after the incident and admitted he had taken LSD a couple of hours earlier. He was travelling at 90kmh in a 60kmh zone at the time of the crash, it has been alleged.

Sean Brindle, 35, of Western Australia, died after being hit by Shields, who is charged with culpable driving.

Mr Brindle's brother Alun, 33, an aeronautical engineer with the Australian Navy, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Shields was remanded in custody to reappear in court in May.

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