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Home / World

Melbourne freeway tragedy: 'Devastated' family of Porsche driver release statement

news.com.au
27 Apr, 2020 02:26 AM4 mins to read

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The family of Porsche driver Richard Pusey, who allegedly berated a dying police officer at a crash scene in Melbourne say they are 'disgusted'. Photo / ABC

The family of Porsche driver Richard Pusey, who allegedly berated a dying police officer at a crash scene in Melbourne say they are 'disgusted'. Photo / ABC

The estranged family of Richard Pusey, the driver of the Porsche pulled over in Melbourne before a truck hit and killed four Victoria Police officers, say they are "disgusted" and share "the same sense of devastation" as the community.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris all died at the scene on the Eastern Freeway in Kew on Wednesday night.

READ MORE:
• Melbourne freeway tragedy: Police to probe truck driver after methamphetamine pipe found
• Melbourne freeway tragedy: Porsche driver's home vandalised overnight
• Melbourne freeway tragedy: Driver allegedly berated dying police officer
• Melbourne freeway tragedy: Police body cam footage reveals dying officer's last moments

Pusey, who is accused of fleeing after the fatal crash, had earlier been intercepted by two of the four officers after being seen driving his Porsche 911 at speeds allegedly up to 140km/h.

Victoria Police have charged Richard Pusey, who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal crash that killed four police officers. Photo / Supplied
Victoria Police have charged Richard Pusey, who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal crash that killed four police officers. Photo / Supplied
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He was charged on Thursday with multiple offences including reckless conduct endangering life, driving with speed, failing to render assistance, destruction of evidence, drug possession and three counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.

The 41-year-old mortgage broker from Fitzroy, who appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, allegedly filmed Sen Constable Taylor as she died and berated her for wrecking his "f***ing car".

The court heard he was recorded on her bodycam, activated earlier during the traffic stop.

Pusey, who was not injured in the crash, allegedly told her: "There you go. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. All I wanted to do was go home and have my sushi. Now you've f****ed my f***ing car."

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He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody. Pusey is due to face court again in July.

A woman, who told 3AW's Neil Mitchell she was Pusey's mother, read a statement on air this morning.

"We just want to disassociate ourselves with the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday night and to offer our deepest sympathies to the loss of life, for the loved ones," she told the radio program.

Victoria Police have charged Richard Pusey, who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal crash that killed four police officers. Photo / Supplied
Victoria Police have charged Richard Pusey, who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal crash that killed four police officers. Photo / Supplied

Asked by Mitchell if she had received threats, the woman said other members of the family had been contacted.

Discover more

World

Police body cam footage reveals dying officer's last moments

24 Apr 10:24 PM
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'Die': Porsche driver's home vandalised after Melbourne freeway tragedy

25 Apr 02:42 AM
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Officers killed: Melbourne truck driver under police guard after meth pipe found

25 Apr 08:58 PM
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Truck driver charged after horror Melbourne crash killed four police officers

26 Apr 06:21 PM

"I don't think that's fair to them so this is why I wanted to come forward," she said.

"We are disgusted, as you can imagine, and he doesn't reflect any other member of the family at all in his behaviour."

READ THE FAMILY'S FULL STATEMENT BELOW

"We would like to say that we are truly devastated by the tragic events that unfolded on Wednesday evening, the 22nd of April 2020.

"We extend our deepest heartfelt sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of the four officers that so tragically lost their lives in the execution of their police duties.

"The pain and sense of loss at this time is beyond comprehension and there is little that can be said to ease the suffering of those that lost someone special.

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"It was an unimaginable and horrific accident that has left us all with many questions and as yet few answers.

"We as a family have been estranged from Richard for some period of time.

"We learned of the horrendous accident on Wednesday evening.

"We were incredibly shocked and deeply ashamed by the events that unfolded surrounding the accident and thereafter.

"Our family have been under immense public and media scrutiny since that time in a quest to find some explanation as to Richard's actions in this catastrophic event.

"This is an insight we are unable to provide. We as a family have had our lives thrust into the spotlight by association and all we can say is we feel the same sense of devastation as the community at this time.

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"This will be our only statement.

"We ask for privacy going forward from the public and the media so that we too can process the horror of these most tragic events."

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