A FORMER Mount Gambier truck driver – who was involved in a fatal accident near Portland earlier this year – has been given a suspended sentence for driving disqualified.
Peter Buckley, 59, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for driving disqualified.
He was suspended from driving for medical reasons after he crashed a truck into the back of a vehicle, which caused two cars to become sandwiched between two trucks near Portland on March 14.
The accident killed one woman and four other occupants of the vehicles received injuries of varying severity.
Buckley has not yet been charged in relation to the crash as Victorian police continue to investigate the circumstances.
However, after the incident his licence was suspended for medical reasons.
Buckley was first stopped by police on June 27 and checks revealed he had been driving disqualified.
The defendant told police he thought the disqualification only applied to him driving heavy vehicles.
Officers informed Buckley he was disqualified from driving all vehicles and was given a caution.
Despite receiving clear instructions from the police about being disqualified, Buckley was stopped driving again just a few days later on July 1 on Lake Terrace East.
Checks once again revealed his licence had been disqualified and Buckley admitted to receiving a letter notifying him of the disqualification.
The defendant’s lawyer said his client was in a state of limbo trying to re-organise his life following the fatal accident in March.
“He has been dealing with the consequences of the accident, which led to the breakdown of a relationship,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
It was revealed Buckley became involved in another relationship and was driving to see his partner after she texted him saying it was about to end.
“The new partner did not break-up with him and remains supportive,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
The defendant’s lawyer asked for leniency from the court due to the difficulties his client has faced.
“He has a lot of issues on his plate at the moment,” he said.
“He has been a truck driver all his life and now he has to try and re-invent himself at 59 years of age.”
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said the offending was particularly serious because of the nature of the licence suspension.
“It is quite a serious driving under suspension offence because you were suspended for medical reasons after driving a truck and being involved in a fatal accident,” Magistrate Anderson said.
She sentenced Buckley to 18 days imprisonment, however suspended the sentence on him entering a $300, 12-month good behaviour bond.
He was also ordered to pay impounding costs of $1039.40.
