A man who caused the death of Irishman Francis Shanley through dangerous driving showed a “selfish disregard” for other motorists, a judge said yesterday.
The 36-year-old was originally from Currycramp, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim, but had settled in Australia after moving there over 10 years ago.
The popular mechanic was on his way to work when he died in the horror 10-vehicle pile-up in Sydney in May 2019.
Francis Omigie was found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist at NSW District Court.
Judge Jane Culver slammed the 55 year-old’s “inconsistent” version of events over why he stopped suddenly in front of a car and then tried to merge across five lanes of rush-hour traffic.
She described one story that centred on mechanical faults as a lie and said she believed that Omigie dangerously exited the major arterial road in a belated attempt to avoid paying a toll.
The defendant was driving a green Toyota Echo when his actions at the Church Street off-ramp in Mays Hill led to the catastrophic crash.
Francis was preparing to tie the knot with his long-term girlfriend Broc Nicholson.
But the heartbroken Australian was left without her beloved fiance.
An Isuzu truck that was carrying beer kegs was subsequently involved in the pile-up and hit Francis’ stationary vehicle as 200 metres of debis was scattered along the motorway.
Omigie, a part-time electrical trades assistant claimed he had no idea the crash had happened behind him and the first he knew about it was when his wife mentioned it the next day. However, witness accounts mentioned the extremely loud noise and that led Judge Culver to decide that Omigie had heard some of the collisions behind him.
She ruled the accused must have known he had been involved in an enormous impact that had led to death or grievous bodily harm.
Omigie’s lawyer Rajiv Baldeo said her client had shown genuine remorse and had been left devastated by his actions before the jury convicted him.
The court also found the truck driver who had more than 130 beer kegs on his vehicle and ran over Mr Shanley’s utility vehicle should have left adequate distance to allow him enough time to stop.
Francis’ grief-stricken fiancee Broc read an impact statement where she described how the tragedy had completely transformed her life and she was no longer the same person.
Judge Culver will conclude her sentencing of Omigie this morning.
After her fiance’s death, Broc shared a tribute on Facebook which read: “He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed. I thank you all for you love, support and messages of kind words.
“Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet. Please understand that if I do not respond straight away. But will shortly get back to you, fly high my beautiful angel.
“I love you for-ever and always.”
