Truck driver breaks his silence after being charged over smash that left four cops dead – as police await the results of his drug tests
- Mohinder Singh, 47, charged with culpable driving over crash on April 22
- Four cops were impounding a Porsche 911 by the side of the road in Melbourne
- Singh’s truck then crashed into the scene, killing all four of the police officers
- He said he was ‘genuinely sorry and saddened’ by their deaths in a statement
A truck driver charged with killing four police officers on a Melbourne freeway says he is ‘genuinely sorry and saddened’ about their deaths.
Mohinder Singh, 47, expressed the sentiment through a statement released by his lawyer Steve Pica on Sunday.
Singh has been charged with culpable driving causing the deaths of Leading Senior Constable Lynnette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney as they were impounding a Porsche on the Eastern Freeway at Kew on April 22.
‘Mr Singh is genuinely sorry and saddened that four people have lose their lives as a result of the collision,’ the short statement from Mr Pica reads.
Mohinder Singh, 47, has expressed the sentiment through a statement released by his lawyer
The police car that arrived at the scene was crushed by a refrigeration truck – killing four police officers who were standing by the roadside
‘He is acutely aware of the impact upon the families, friends and work colleagues of those that lost their lives.’
Singh didn’t speak and had kept his head down when he faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.
Mr Pica told the court Singh had anxiety and depression and may have had an undiagnosed psychiatric issue his whole life.
‘Mr Singh remains distressed and saddened at the tragic consequences of his acts,’ he said.
The 47-year-old from Cranbourne in Melbourne’s southeast did not apply for bail and is due to return to court for a committal mention on October 1.
Police pulled over a speeding driver at 4.50pm on April 22, then proceeded to call for backup from highway patrol when they decided to impound the car. By 5.40pm, the refrigeration truck had ploughed into the three cars and four officers, killing them all
A court heard Singh had anxiety and depression and may have had an undiagnosed psychiatric issue his whole life
The statement comes after police lined the side of the road and saluted Constable Glen Humphris on Saturday.
Victorian police escorted Const Humphris’ body to the border of NSW at Albury-Wodonga, where their interstate colleagues continued the journey to the officer’s final resting place in Newcastle.
Funerals have also been held in line with coronavirus restrictions for senior constables Taylor and King.
A funeral for constable Josh Presney is set to be held on Monday.
A state memorial service will be held when coronavirus measures including a 10-person funeral limit, are lifted.