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Friday, 25 July 2008

Driver involved in 50-bicycle accident goes missing

12/05/2008 1:41:00 PM.  | Anil Lambert-Patel

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The driver involved in the 50-cyclist accident on Southern Cross Drive in Sydney last week has gone missing.

'Jason', who called in to 2GB’s Ray Hadley Show on Friday to explain his actions, has vanished, with police unable to find him to serve him with a court summons.

On Friday 'Jason' called Ray Hadley to say the accident wasn't his fault and that the group of cyclists was trying to overtake him when a number of them smashed into his car.

He claimed a mechanical problem caused his sudden stop - his car had just been converted to dual-fuel and a gas misfire meant he had to pull over.

“I stopped, full-stopped. I had to because I put it in park to switch it to petrol to try to get it to start – it wouldn’t start on gas,” he explained

“So that was a good 20-seconds and then – like I said – some rode past me.”

He says he was intimidated by threats and abuse from the group, which is why he failed to stop or get out of his vehicle.

But Olympic cyclist Ben Kersten, who was also on the line on the Ray Hadley Show, was furious with the explanation.

"Mate, you're a lying dog," he told 'Jason'.

"Everything you just said is complete and utter bull. I can't believe you have the nerve to ring up and try to say this.

"I was there and I saw it all. You're a liar. We've got 50 witnesses to confirm that everything you've said is complete bull."

COMMENTS

Monday, 12 May 2008

Someone called Jason a “lying dog” on the Ray Hadley show what a role model. Having just been to Mordialloc, Melbourne I can see why you cyclist get into trouble.

Posted by: Michael Notting, Wagga Wagga

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

Another media beat up-Ray Hadley is another goose-he should have cut Kersten off the air as soon as he got abusive! there should be no problem as there is a law - when you hit someone from behind -next time I'll make sure if I hit someone in the rear of their vehicle I'll ring Ray Hadley and ask his advice and call the other person a lying dog and get away with it just like Kersten! After all this was an accident and everyone should be counting their lucky stars that nothing serious happened!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

Bendigo is a city full of these "lycra lunatics".The arrogance with which they ride around this city leaves many a motorist with high blood pressure and stressed out before you even get to work.If cyclists stuck to the road rules like car drivers are expected to, none of this would be a problem.In this day and age where sports stars are being labelled "role models" for our children, is it appropriate for an Olympic athelete to be calling someon a "lying dog" in the media? Shame on you Ben!

Posted by: Had Enough Of Cyclists, Bendigo

Monday, 12 May 2008

Cyclists don't all come out of the same womb. Neither do drivers. Maybe if you showed a little patience on your highly stressful 5 to 10 minute commute through Bendigo and you'll get to work a little more relaxed. Or you could ride your bike, save some money, get some exercise and see the world from the other point of view.

Posted by: Grant X, Victoria

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

It is the government's fault for not providing a safe alternative for cyclists.

Posted by: In Evah Tah Ball, Carramar/Sydney

Monday, 12 May 2008

Ball, what do you call the Bike track alongside the M7? What about the one along Epping Rd? Sutherland Bike track? Centennial Park? Wiley Park Veladrome? The DEDICATED BIKE LANE along the F6 from Waterfall to Wollongong?

Posted by: David ., NSW

Monday, 12 May 2008

David: It's all there as you say-and it's always empty-see if anyone can ride their motor bike there and get away with it??? this is the problem the cyclists use the roads at PEAK HOUR!-it's packed in NSW I'm not sure what happens in Melbourne and to be honest who really cares what happens there-the bike tracks are here and no one bothers to use them-they would rather get in the way of others who earn a living and need to get to work-what they choose is not a job it's a choice they make in life!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

A group of cyclists going against the flow of traffic, yet to build as it was 0630 am, riding 2 abreast as legally entitled to in the BREAKDOWN lane of a 3 lane road, with absolutely no chance of holding anyone up. Precisely what law did they "not stick to"? Dan, you have every right to be concerned as your IQ is clearly the same as your shoe size. If you drive a vehicle negligently in such a way as to cause a collision YOU are at fault my friend, regardless of where the other vehicle hits you!

Posted by: Had enough of selfish road rage, Sydney

Monday, 12 May 2008

Had enough of: your selfishness!! Who said the driver was at fault-I would like to see you in the same situation trying to clear your stupid name when the media hype this up-where's the right to natural justice or have you forgotten that you are innocent till proven guilty-it was an ACCIDENT - if some idiot stops in front of you and you hit him then what??? or the others do the same and it becomes domino effect - then what stupid!.Who said the driver did it on purpose anyway - the media?

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Monday, 12 May 2008

'Yet to build as it was 0630am'.....You have never obviously driven along Southern Cross drive at 0630, its 3 lanes full of traffic, not to mention the bike riders that just change lanes along the Grande Pde at this time in the dark with no indication and then have the nerve to yell at you when you nearly run them over. Only an idiot rides along at this time of the day, or maybe one with a death wish or just plain no brains.

Posted by: David ., NSW

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

You cyclist haters can't see the wood for the trees! Jason was observed by 50+ witnesses (inc an off duty cop by the way) trying to intimidate a group of cyclists, he then accelerates around the group, cuts in front dangerously and slams on the brakes causing an accident. THINK ABOUT IT! If he is so innocent, why has he gone to ground?

Posted by: David - Fed up with red necked motorists, Northcote

Monday, 12 May 2008

By the way I'm no cyclist hater in fact I give them the right of roadway regardless, however there has to be a balance and what I find is that cyclists do overstep their mark and do break the law and get away with it time and time again- in any case I can give you an example of another accident involving a person using a mobile phone by stopping in the slow lane while reporting a road rage-the driver from behind hit them as another swerved out just seconds before - so who was at fault??????

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Monday, 12 May 2008

Slip on your little girly lycra tights and go for a ride and have a coffee and settle down.

Posted by: David ., NSW

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

Jason got called 'a lying dog' cos, ummm..... he is. Not going too fast for you anti cyclist jerks? I,ll take Kersten for my role mode in a second, tells it how it is.

Posted by: David Thomas, Blackburn

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

Action does speak louder than words. Oooo... It's deafening!

Posted by: Wilfred ., Killara

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

Yes, Dan Concerned really needs to check his road rules and wait for any charges or court case. Witness reports were clear that ths hoon changed lanes to leave very little space then hit his brakes hard (now he says because of some spurious petrol/lpg change over). Last time I checked, when changing lanes you have to keep clear of other traffic. Try that sort of move on a B-double, Dan, and see how you're received!!

Posted by: Peter Hoon-Harrier, Melbourne

Monday, 12 May 2008

Were you one of the 50 witnesses Melbournite??? I suggest you have a better understanding of what happens when you have a mob trying to deny anyone natural justice - idiots like you we don't need! the other thing is you assume a great deal - you know what that means don't you! He changed lanes, he overtook, he did this, he did that....what were the cyclists who went past him doing - did they keep going or did they return? and the ones that hit him in the rear - how many were there?

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Monday, 12 May 2008

Peter the Hoon from Melbourne:I have given you an example-provide me with an answer-otherwise you innane remarks make no sense-denial of natural justice is the worst kind of miscarriage of justice that can happen-where has it been the case previously where the person in front was to blame? - it's why it's an accident - the next thing you'll have Kerstan blaming the driver if he doesn't win any medals-if Kerstan is serious about training that's what he needs to concentrate on and get back to it.

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

Where are the 50 witnesses and you think cops aren't crooked?didn't the driver say that cyclists went around him first- he also had a witness – I didn’t hear him being abusive on the radio, did you? this is a beat up and something that you needs to realise - I suggest next time you are involved in an ACCIDENT that natural justice applies to you as much as it has to this driver - the problem is this would be nothing story if it wasn't for Kersten's high profile - think about it! there is a difference! okay! How much stress do you think the driver is under??? He probably thinks he has no chance – If anything they are all at fault and that’s how this should be looked at as an accident – no one can ever prove this was done deliberately – did it say they were riding two abreast??? Who said the cyclists weren’t breaking the law? Come on the majority of people need to think a little harder on this issue. No one got hurt that’s the main thing or is everyone trying to make some money out of al

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

When anyone using the road cannot understand that hogging the road leads to road rage, well, they should not be permitted on the road in the first place.Almost every motorist has confronted these arrogant selfish morons who think they have some God given right to completely take over the roads regardless of any traffic conditions around them.Unless they can sustain to speed limits they should not be permitted on those roads.Stick to the bike lanes & thats it.

Posted by: Alex Uren, Luddenham

Monday, 12 May 2008

Good one, Alex. So glad to see you don't let facts get in the way of your prejudices. The reported facts are they took up no more than one lane on a multi-lane road, and there was plenty of room to pass. Dan Concerned, normally you'd be right. The exception is when you change lanes across the front of a guy without leaving them adequate braking room. Then you who are at fault if they hit you. If you don't believe me, go test your theory in front of the highway patrol and see what you get.

Posted by: John H, Sydney

Monday, 12 May 2008

JohnH:I'm not sure if the person was changing lanes-the driver apparentally was passing a truck who was letting vehicles go past-another vehicle didn't go past so this driver did and apparently there was some mishap with his vehicle by this stage and he had no choice-the reason most accidents happen on the road-other cyclists went past him-unfortunately this story has been contaminated by media regardless of who is right or wrong now-what justice do you think will be served-shake hands over it!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Monday, 12 May 2008

'Jason' confronts cyclist Ben Kersten on the Ray Hadley Show' - Is that right is it?-Listen carefully who confronted who?this is what is meant by trial by media and therefore impartiality goes out the window-radio programme shouldn't speak on any matters if it may be subject to possible litigation-all driver's pay for the privilege to use the roadway-perhaps if a large group of cyclists had this properly managed in the first instance nothing like this would have happened!It's a danger to both!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

The word "accident" is not generally used by law enforcement, justice systems, or researchers, because it is not neutral: it suggests that the crash could not have been prevented. Since I wasn't there, I'll leave it for law enforcement and the justice system to sort out. Contrary to what some have said, I heard that several people were injured, though there were no broken bones, in this crash. It also seems very irresponsible for either party to be speaking in public about these events.

Posted by: David Moskovitz, Washington DC

 

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

I hear they have issued the driver with a notice to attend court for not providing details. Pity there not a charge under the big umbrella of “stupidity” because most cyclist would be clogging the court system up.

Posted by: Michael Notting, Wagga Wagga

 

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

In an accident you are REQUIRED by law to stop. Oh no, "cops are all crooked" aren't they! What next!! Alex the speed LIMIT is just that, the MAXIMUM permitted speed, there is no minimum speed within a very generous limit. eg in road rules, car doing 20kph in 80 zone for no reason. Trucks, cranes, buses etc also aren't doing the speed limit, do you cut in front and slam on your brakes to them too? Download and learn road rules!

Posted by: Had Enough of selfish road rage, Sydney

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Had enough of your???: He had stopped why don't you listen - there was no damage or anyone hurt - damage needs to be in excess of $1000 - get real ! If a "mob" of cyclists start yelling abuse instead of talking reason would you be there with your girlfriend???? I suggest you are as big a hoon as Kersten - he has no respect for others and only thinks of himself - cyclists have been known for creating problems for years without being charged!!! It should be better controlled okay!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Dan, where do you get this? If you are involved in an accident you are REQUIRED TO STOP, and why the driver has now been charged. BTW, each of those bikes are worth between $5-10 THOUSAND dollars each, if crashed badly you throw them away. 50 bikes, you do the sums, should keep you occupied for a few days! Aptly named Brain Drain, I don't ride a bike at the moment but spend a lot of time on the roads, I see a heck a lot of car drivers breaking the rules so I guess then "All" car drivers do 'eh?

Posted by: Dad Enough of Selfish roadrage, Sydney

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Is that what he's being charged with??? not stopping??I know someone that happened to-they were hit - (I was actually behind them at the time they stopped to go around a "roundabout" the other car sped off - a taxi driver who witnessed it also got their number plate and guess what "Dad whose had enough" the police didn't charge the person-car was located damaged at their home-you figure it out - you think justice was served? - obviously you have no idea what happens in the "real world"!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Had or Dad had enough: Just remember trial by media - I only hope you or anyone you know is given the same justice in the future! when you have rules they need to be followed by the authorities-some are and obviously others do not get the same justice! that is my point-leave it up to the law to figure it out not you or anyone else's assumptions of what happened-keep the matter in perspective - JUST REMEMBER NO ONE GOT HURT - vehicles and bikes can be replaced! or are you forgetting that fact!

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Dan, is this a windup? Surely you're not this stupid? People WERE hurt, the driver did not stop and exchange detail, that's an offence. Minor accidents, and this doesn't qualify, don't need to be REPORTED to the police and perhaps that's where you're confused. These are BASIC road rules, if you drive a vehicle you should know this already! The media attention was regarding road rage, how can you possibly defend this! If people want to cycle on the road that's their lawful right, it's no big deal

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