A Nigerian driver, Francis Omigie, who allegedly caused a catastrophic pile-up on Sydney’s M4, killing a tradesman on his way to work, was applying “harsh and unnecessary” braking and swerved across three lanes of traffic, a court has been told.
Irishman Francis Shanley, 36, died in the crash involving at least eight cars and a truck at the Church Street off-ramp in Mays Hill on Thursday morning.
About 200 metres of debris was left sprawled along the motorway.
Police arrested Francis Omigie, 53, on Friday night and charged him with dangerous driving occasioning death and other offences.
In Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, lawyer Eiad Diyab said: “The accused, I’m told, had some … mechanical problems and his intention was to change lanes to the left and unfortunately (this) has resulted in a pile-up.”
“There was no damage to his vehicle. In his mind, it wasn’t clear … he was party to the accident.”
He said Omigie – who migrated to Australia from Nigeria two years ago – was quite distressed about the incident.
Police allege the married part-time electrical trades assistant, from Ropes Crossing, was driving a green Toyota Echo on the motorway before he changed lanes and suddenly stopped in front of another vehicle.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Sergeant Scott Thomson said it was “an enormous collision with catastrophic results” – including a death and facial injuries to another person – and within the “utmost extreme” category.
Court documents allege Omigie applied “harsh and unnecessary braking to a motor vehicle, while steering across three lanes of traffic” before the pile-up and then allegedly drove away.
Mr Shanley’s ute was struck by a truck carrying beer kegs and he died at the scene.
Magistrate George Zdenkowski on Saturday refused bail on the basis of Omigie allegedly failing to stop and render assistance after the “horrific” crash and then seeking to evade police.
Should the extremely serious charges be established, they are likely to entail a custodial penalty, he said.
Mr Shanley’s Australian fiancee, Broc Nicholson, has since paid tribute to her “lucky charm Irish boy” on Facebook.
“He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed,” she said in a post on Thursday night.
“I thank you all for your love, support and messages of kind words. Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet.”
A mass for Mr Shanley, run by the NT Irish Association, will be held for his friends in Darwin at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral on Saturday night.
Omigie will reappear via video link at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
Associated Press