Chain of Responsibility (CoR) charges against Connect Logistics, the Sydney-headquartered company involved in the tragic deaths of four Victoria Police officers, have been filed at Paramatta Local Court.
The company, owner-managing director, national operations manager, and state manager have each been charged with Category 1 and 2 offences under the CoR provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
These are the most serious offences available under the HVNL.
Category 1 offences carry a maximum penalty of $300,000 and/or five years imprisonment for an individual and $3,000,000 for a corporation.
Category 2 offences carry a maximum penalty of $150,000 for an individual and $1,500,000 for a corporation.
The matter will next be heard on September 28 at Paramatta Local Court.
The court date follows a comprehensive 18-month investigation by Taskforce Paragon which was established to investigate the Eastern Freeway incident in which Connect Logistics driver Mohinder Singh hit and killed four Victoria Police officers while they were conducting a roadside intercept on April 22, 2020.
His former boss Simiona Tuteru also now faces more than 70 charges in relation to the fatal crash, the most serious of which are four counts of manslaughter by criminal negligence.
NHVR director of prosecutions Belinda Hughes said the CoR charges have been laid after multiple and critical breaches of the HVNL were identified.
“These charges stem from an extensive interstate investigation by Victoria Police into the actions of the transport operator, its executive and its employees,” Hughes said.
“This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the consequences that can occur when there is a failure to ensure safe transport activities.”