A truck driver has been found not guilty of seven charges of dangerous driving following a crash in Melbourne’s outer west that caused severe injuries to several primary school students.
The incident occurred on May 16, 2023, when a truck and a school bus collided at an intersection in Eynesbury, on the western outskirts of Melbourne.
According to police, the bus was rear-ended by the truck at the junction of Exford Road and Murphys Road at approximately 3:45pm.
The bus, which was heading west on Exford Road, attempted to turn right onto Murphys Road when it was struck from behind, causing it to roll onto its side.
At the time, the bus was transporting 46 students from Exford Primary School. Seven of the children sustained serious injuries, including partial or full arm amputations, crushed limbs, and severe lacerations.
The truck driver, Jamie Gleeson, denied the dangerous driving charges and was released on bail in May 2023.
His defense lawyer, James Anderson, claimed the case was about “human driving” rather than reckless behavior.
Gleeson, who has been a professional truck driver for 18 years with a clean record, tested negative for drugs and alcohol, as did the bus driver.
A mechanical inspection found the truck’s brakes were faulty, though it had undergone proper servicing. The jury was told that Gleeson was unaware of the brake issues.
The defense maintained that there was no evidence Gleeson should have known the brakes were defective.
During the trial, Anderson stated that Gleeson was following his regular route home and was not driving recklessly. He emphasized that Gleeson was acting responsibly and was not in a rush.
“That day, he wasn’t returning from a pub or acting carelessly; he was heading home early for a family celebration,” Anderson said.
He argued that all the evidence pointed to Gleeson being a responsible driver and urged the jury not to hastily judge his actions as dangerous.
Meanwhile, the bus driver, Graham Stanley, admitted under questioning that his recollection of the crash was impaired by PTSD, time, and possible trauma.
The prosecution, led by Neill Hutton SC, insisted that Gleeson’s prolonged inattention was a key cause of the crash. Hutton argued that Gleeson braked too late and failed to maintain a safe following distance.
He described the bus’s deceleration as typical and claimed that Gleeson’s delayed response led directly to the collision.
Hutton also pointed out that the bus driver was familiar with the route, having driven it twice daily for over a year.
However, the defense countered that Stanley may not have followed his usual routine that day. Notably, he could not recall if he had fastened his seatbelt.
Anderson also questioned whether the bus had used its indicator before turning and referenced CCTV footage showing that Gleeson had maintained a following distance of four to five seconds.
Community members testified in support of Gleeson, including his employer, a friend, and his father, who described him as a respected and active community member.
Robert Gleeson expressed pride in his son, highlighting his involvement in coaching sports and volunteering with the Country Fire Authority.
