Dozens of new charges have been filed against a truck driver accused of ignoring signs of faulty brakes before a horror crash with a school bus, a court has heard.
Lawyers acting for Brett Michael Russell, 60, appeared on his behalf before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
Prosecutor Mitchell Wilson told the court the case against the accused driver had been “substantially” revised and he was now facing a staggering 80 charges.
“Mr Russell was initially charged with 46 charges … there has since been updated charges and an updated hand-up brief,” he said.
“10 of those victims relate to adults and 25 are child victims.”
The court heard 32 new charges had been laid following further investigations into the crash and the examination of medical evidence.
Mr Russell was arrested after his truck collided with a bus carrying students from Loreto College in Ballarat on Melbourne’s Western Freeway near Bacchus Marsh, on September 21, 2022.
It’s alleged he slammed into a school bus carrying Year 9 to Year 12 students and their teachers, who were destined to travel to the United States’ for a NASA space camp.
A total of 32 people on the bus – including 27 students, four teachers and the bus driver – were rushed to hospital suffering a range of injuries.
Mr Russell, a father of four, also sustained serious injuries in the collision.
According to police allegations outlined in court, witnesses allege they saw the truck driver “weaving” and driving aggressively before the moment of impact at 3.15am.
Police also allege he was aware there were issues with his brakes deteriorating but Mr Russell decided to drive anyway.
In court Mr Russell’s lawyer, Emily Metcalfe, requested the case be adjourned for four weeks.
This was granted by Magistrate Kieran Gilligan, who will hear the matter when it returns to court at the end of August.