Driver involved in crash that killed Hongkonger, 4 others in Australia ‘fined for speeding, released by police just 3 minutes earlier’
- Christopher Dillon Joannidis, 29, was reportedly driving 18km/h above speed limit when he was pulled over by police, questioned and fined
- Minutes later, Joannidis was involved in the crash on highway
Christopher Dillon Joannidis, 29, was driving at 118km/h (73mph) in a 100km/h zone at about 1.40pm on Thursday when he was pulled over by police, questioned and fined before being released at 2.18pm, Australian media reported.
Just three minutes later, Joannidis was involved in the crash on Murray Valley Highway at around 2.20pm, when his white Mercedes-Benz allegedly failed to give way and hit a Nissan Navara.
The driver of the second vehicle lost control and hit an oncoming milk tanker, killing all five people in the Nissan, marking the state’s deadliest crash since 2012.
Joannidis and his female passenger, 20, were said to have sustained minor injuries.
Joannidis, who was charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death, appeared at Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon and was granted bail. The conditions include not operating a vehicle, leaving the country or using any drugs. He returns to court on September 19.
