Australian truck driver found guilty over cousin’s death
A Sydney jury found 42-year-old truck driver Mosa Vaimala guilty of dangerous driving that led to the death of his cousin and serious injuries to two other people. The crash occurred on 6 February 2024 at Bulli Pass near Thirroul, north of Wollongong, Australia.
As reported by ABC News Australia, Vaimala was found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. His colleague and cousin, 43-year-old Mikaio Isaako, died at the scene.
Crash circumstances
At about 1:46 p.m., Vaimala was driving south along Bulli Pass in a Hino Pantech truck. His cousins Mikaio and 40-year-old Robert Isaako were beside him. At a sharp bend, the driver braked, after which the truck broke through a barrier and ended up at the bottom of an embankment.
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The truck collided with a BMW driven by a 40-year-old woman from Canberra, who was waiting to turn left at an intersection. Robert Isaako and the BMW driver sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital by helicopter. The woman was evacuated unconscious and later underwent brain surgery. Robert Isaako suffered serious head and leg injuries.
Testimony and further hearing
During the two-week trial at the Downing Centre District Court, the court considered, among other things, whether Vaimala had selected a sufficiently low gear and whether he had exceeded the speed limit. Several witnesses told the court that the truck was travelling faster than the posted limit and went onto two wheels while braking sharply at the bend.
Vaimala is currently free on bail. The prosecution will seek to have him taken into custody; a hearing on the matter is scheduled for 10 September. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
