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Porsche driver filmed and abused police officer who lay dying after Melbourne freeway crash, court hears Porsche driver filmed and abused police officer who lay dying after Melbourne freeway crash, court hears
(32 minutes later)
Richard Pusey was charged with 10 offences, including speeding, reckless conduct and drug possessionRichard Pusey was charged with 10 offences, including speeding, reckless conduct and drug possession
An accused drug-driver filmed and abused one of the four police officers killed in a Melbourne freeway crash as she lay dying, a court has heard.An accused drug-driver filmed and abused one of the four police officers killed in a Melbourne freeway crash as she lay dying, a court has heard.
Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor could be heard calling for help before Richard Pusey began filming the crash, Melbourne magistrate’s court was told on Friday.Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor could be heard calling for help before Richard Pusey began filming the crash, Melbourne magistrate’s court was told on Friday.
He allegedly walked up to her and said: “There you go. Amazing, absolutely amazing. Pusey allegedly walked up to her and said: “There you go. Amazing, absolutely amazing.
“All I wanted was to go home and have my sushi and now you’ve “fucked my fucking car,” Pusey allegedly said. “All I wanted was to go home and have my sushi and now you’ve fucked my fucking car,” Pusey allegedly said.
Pusey, 41, was pulled over for allegedly speeding at 140km/h. Police said he tested positive to ice and cannabis on the Eastern Freeway on Wednesday.Pusey, 41, was pulled over for allegedly speeding at 140km/h. Police said he tested positive to ice and cannabis on the Eastern Freeway on Wednesday.
He was urinating on the side of the freeway when a truck driver smashed into four officers impounding his Porsche 911. He was allegedly urinating on the side of the freeway when a truck driver smashed into four officers impounding his Porsche 911.
The officer and three of her colleagues, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney, died at the scene. Pusey allegedly fled the scene. The officer and three of her colleagues, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney, died at the scene.
He allegedly asking a witness for a ride to his home suburb of Fitzroy before being arrested the next day. Pusey allegedly fled, before asking a witness for a ride to his home suburb of Fitzroy. He was arrested the next day.
Pusey did not apply for bail when he appeared in court charged with offences including dangerous driving, reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance, drug possession and the destruction of evidence.Pusey did not apply for bail when he appeared in court charged with offences including dangerous driving, reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance, drug possession and the destruction of evidence.
The four police were killed on Wednesday evening as they were dealing with the Porsche driver on the Eastern Freeway in Kew.The four police were killed on Wednesday evening as they were dealing with the Porsche driver on the Eastern Freeway in Kew.
A refrigerated truck veered to the left and hit them at 100km/h as they stood in the emergency lane.A refrigerated truck veered to the left and hit them at 100km/h as they stood in the emergency lane.
Photos of the scene were shared on Facebook and posted to a community group where they were seen by a fellow officer, who was said to be “distraught” after seeing the images of her colleagues. Details of exactly how the crash happened remain unclear. The Victorian police commissioner, Graham Ashton, said on Thursday two officers had intercepted a Porsche 911 that was reportedly travelling at 140km/h just before 5pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Ashton has urged the public not to share the photographs. The two officers drug-tested the driver, identified as Pusey. After he allegedly returned a positive result, the officers decided to impound the car, Ashton said. Shortly after two highway patrol officers were called to assist at the scene, a large refrigerated truck drove into the four officers.
After making contact with police overnight Pusey was arrested on Thursday morning.
Pusey was charged with driving at a dangerous speed, reckless conduct endangering life, failing to remain after a drug test, failing to render his assistance, failing to exchange his details, possessing a drug of dependence, destruction of evidence and three counts of committing indictable offence while on bail.
It was still unclear on Friday exactly how the crash happened. Ashton said two officers intercepted a Porsche 911 that was reportedly travelling at 140km/h just before 5pm on Wednesday afternoon.
The two officers drug-tested the 41-year-old male driver, identified as Richard Pusey. After he allegedly returned a positive result, the officers decided to impound the car, Ashton said. Shortly after the two highway patrol officers were called to assist at the scene, a large refrigerated truck drove into the four officers.
“It is still quite early in the investigation to describe exactly the movements of that vehicle,” Ashton said.“It is still quite early in the investigation to describe exactly the movements of that vehicle,” Ashton said.
“The truck itself appears to have moved from one of the traffic lanes in the freeway into the emergency lane and has travelled a short distance in the emergency lane at around about 100km/h and slammed into the rear of the highway patrol vehicle.”“The truck itself appears to have moved from one of the traffic lanes in the freeway into the emergency lane and has travelled a short distance in the emergency lane at around about 100km/h and slammed into the rear of the highway patrol vehicle.”
The truck driver had a medical episode and is in hospital under police guard, and was still not fit to be questioned. The truck driver had a medical episode and is in hospital under police guard, and was still not fit to be questioned on Friday.
Police raided the truck driver’s Cranbourne home on Wednesday night and are yet to reveal what they found.Police raided the truck driver’s Cranbourne home on Wednesday night and are yet to reveal what they found.
Sen Const Taylor, 60, had been with the force for 31 years and joined the road policing drug and alcohol section in 2011, while both Constables Humphris and Prestney had only recently graduated from the academy.
Survived by her husband and two sons, Sen Const Taylor had also recently been the primary carer for her sister after she experienced a stroke.
At 50, Sen Const King was relatively new to the force, joining six years ago and working at several Melbourne stations before transferring to the Nunawading Highway Patrol in 2018.
His cousin, a man named Trevor told Melbourne’s 3AW on Thursday morning that King left behind a wife and children.
“I sat down and watched the news and thought: ‘My cousin runs up and down there’ … Just a split second and everyone’s life changes,” he said.
“I feel sorry for the good samaritans that were there, that will be with them forever.”
“The 50-year-old father of three was well-liked, well respected and well regarded by his colleagues. He had a great sense of humour, loved coming to work, and he loved what he did,” Victoria police said in his obituary.
After working as an apprentice carpenter and personal trainer, Const Humphris joined the force after moving to Melbourne from Newcastle.
“Glen is remembered as being very level-headed, caring and supportive with a great sense of humour and had the ability to make light of any situation to calm people,” read his obituary. He is survived by his partner of four years, Todd.
Const Prestney, 28, graduated from the academy in December, with his brother – a fellow officer – presenting him with his badge.
“Josh was a much loved and respected member of his squad…In his spare time Josh enjoyed keeping fit and trained for and competed in triathlons.”
The Victoria police’s memorial Facebook page was flooded with posts on Thursday evening paying respects to the officers, including from past and current police.The Victoria police’s memorial Facebook page was flooded with posts on Thursday evening paying respects to the officers, including from past and current police.
Flags were also flying at half-mast and landmarks lit up in blue across Victoria on Thursday in honour of the officers.Flags were also flying at half-mast and landmarks lit up in blue across Victoria on Thursday in honour of the officers.