A test-drive of a $350,000 McLaren supercar that crashed into a bike rider during a media junket has resulted in a junket of a different kind: 12 months free accommodation in prison for the driver.

Amelia Hungerford, 28, a “lifestyle reporter” with Signature Luxury Travel magazine was test driving the extremely powerful and fast machine on a twisty road popular with bike riders in Sydney’s Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park when she collided with James Tan on a corner.

Mr Tan, a dentist, was seriously injured and has been unable to practice since due to the injuries. He has also not been able to ride since.

Hungerford was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm), cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle, and negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm) over the incident in May last year,

After a guilty plea she was this week she was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, with a non-parole period of seven months.

She was granted bail and is appealing the severity of the sentence.

The maximum sentence available was seven years, so on the face of it, one year does not seem severe.

This case raised major concerns about the safety of bike riders who ride recreationally on roads in bushland environments, roads that are becoming increasingly popular for deliberate risk taking behaviour by drivers and motorcyclists.

See previous article on this case.

Source
The Bicycle Network