Truck driver accused of causing horror crash with a bus packed with schoolchildren learns his fate

By MELISSA MEEHAN FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: 14:43 BST, 28 May 2025 | Updated: 14:50 BST, 28 May 2025

A truck driver was not driving dangerously when he rammed into the back of a school bus, seriously injuring seven children, a jury has found.

Jamie Gleeson was found not guilty of seven counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury by a jury in the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday.

Gleeson was accused of failing to maintain a proper distance from the bus or paying significant attention before crashing into the back of the vehicle at at Eynesbury in Melbourne’s west on May 16, 2023.

Of the 46 students on board, seven were seriously injured in the crash that occurred less than 1km from Exford Primary School.

Gleeson, 50, denied the allegations and maintained that he was not driving dangerously.

He told police he did not see the brake lights or indicator of the bus until the last second and it appeared as if the bus had forgotten to turn.

Bus driver Graham Stanley previously told the court he began tapping on the brake pedal, activating the retarder system, about 100m before the crash.

He was unaware if the brake lights remained on throughout the entire slowing down period but maintained his right turn indicator was also on at the same time.

Truck driver Jamie Gleeson (pictured) has been found not guilty of seven counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury two years after he crashed into the back of a packed school bus

Seven students from Exford Primary School were seriously injured in the May 2023crash. Pictured are emergency responders at the scene

Gleeson’s truck hit the back of the turning bus, causing the vehicle to spin and roll on its side.

The jury was told the truck skidded for about 25m before the collision and was going 67km/h at the point of impact.

A later assessment of the truck found its brakes were faulty, although Gleeson was unaware of the issues and the truck had been regularly serviced.

Gleeson did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash and there was no evidence of speeding or that he used his phone before the collision.

Graham Stanley (recently pictured outside court) had been driving the school bus and indicated that it was turning before the crash occurred, the court heard

In a statement, a representative from Mr Gleeson’s legal team said the driver still feels the impact of the crash.

‘Mr Gleeson remains completely shattered by the incident that occurred and his involvement in it, he feels immensely for the children involved and their families,’ they said.

‘He explained how the collision occurred to the police the morning following and he is grateful to the jury for their consideration and attention in determining his case.’

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Truck driver accused of causing horror crash with a bus packed with schoolchildren learns his fate

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