Fatal caravan crash driver to plead not guilty. [Archive]

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bob10

31st December 2020, 10:46 AM

RV DAILY | Fatal caravan crash driver, Steven Russell, to plead not guilty (https://rvdaily.com.au/fatal-caravan-crash-driver-steven-russell-to-plead-not-guilty/)

3toes

14th January 2021, 05:51 AM

When I click through to the story it is full of adds for Walkinshaw New Age caravans. Not really sure the advertising department thought that one through

Homestar

14th January 2021, 06:22 AM

trout1105

14th January 2021, 08:18 AM

Were you going to post the outcome at all? - Tamworth trial for Stephen George Russell abandoned minutes before start, accused of deadly 2019 crash near Walcha | The Northern Daily Leader | Tamworth, NSW (https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/7048535/over-before-it-started-shock-end-to-double-fatal-crash-trial/)

I couldn't read that link because I am not a subscriber of that newsfeed so I don't know why the trial was cancelled But from the link Bob posted I gather that Mr Russell is a Professional driver having been an Army Driver and a truckie during his career and he should have known better about towing an Overweight rig.

Personally I think that he has suffered more than enough for his negligence with the loss of his wife and son and the police's time and effort would be better utilised in cracking down on other caravaners that are towing overloaded/overweight vans to try and stop others from crashing instead of pursuing Mr Russell in court.

We all see overloaded/badly loaded vans and massive vans being towed by inadequate tugs in our travels that are not only a danger to themselves But they are also a danger to other road users as well and this practice needs to be addressed by the police more vigorously to stamp it out.

I would think that 99% of the people that are pulling overloaded/badly loaded vans or are towing a van with an inadequate tug are blissfully unaware of the danger they are putting themselves and others in and this also needs to be addressed with better information/education or training .

Homestar

14th January 2021, 08:33 AM

I can't read it either but there's a comment at the end of the RV article saying the Crown abandoned the trial with no reason given - I googled the trial and this is the only article I can find.

p38arover

14th January 2021, 10:16 AM

this is the only article I can find.

You'll have to learn to search, Gav. This was the third link on the search results, the first two being from the newspaper.

RV DAILY | Fatal caravan crash trial adjourned due to new 'developments" (https://rvdaily.com.au/fatal-caravan-crash-trial-adjourned-due-to-new-developments/)

According to the Northern Daily Leader, the case was adjourned to February.

Slunnie

14th January 2021, 10:30 AM

You'll have to learn to search, Gav. This was the third link on the search results, the first two being from the newspaper.

RV DAILY | Fatal caravan crash trial adjourned due to new 'developments" (https://rvdaily.com.au/fatal-caravan-crash-trial-adjourned-due-to-new-developments/)

The report stated the reasons for the trial being abandoned “cannot be reported for legal reasons” but quotes Judge Jonathan Williams as describing the developments as “significant”.

The report also stated the Crown prosecutor lodged an application to vacate the trial and said the developments had “blindsided us at this stage”.

Judge Williams was reported as saying “it is one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever heard”.

If they don't tell us, we can only make things up. I would assume something has gone very wrong from the investigation side of things.

101RRS

14th January 2021, 11:08 AM

If they don't tell us, we can only make things up. I would assume something has gone very wrong from the investigation side of things.

A new development on the evening before the trial - after 18 months of investigation - yeah right, the prosecution does not have the case and is stalling to try and make their case better.