A 58-year-old truck driver accused of causing the death of much-loved Taree cyclist Blaze Nicholson has failed to appear in court, forcing another delay in justice.
Brian John Moore was due to face Taree Local Court on Tuesday, more than seven months after being charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death. The charges relate to the crash on December 22 last year that claimed Blaze’s life on the Pacific Highway near Bulahdelah.
Moore did not show up in court today, leaving the judge with no option but to adjourn the case. He was issued with a court attendance notice when charged three months ago in April, and the adjournment now means another two months of waiting for the case to begin.
Blaze Nicholson was just 20 years old when he was allegedly struck by Moore’s truck while riding on the highway between his hometown of Taree and Newcastle, where he was heading to see family days before Christmas.
The 20-year-old was autistic and had recently started working as a concreter’s assistant after completing year 10 at TAFE. He was a keen cyclist and dedicated member of the Manning Valley Cycle Club, where he had taken first place in his division just 15 days before his death at a club road race at Cundletown.
Speaking after the tragedy, his grandmother Annette Nicholson – who with her husband had raise Blaze since the death of his mother when he was young – praised the occupant of a car travelling behind the truck at the time of the crash who stopped and attempted to revive Blaze.
“I don’t know who she was, but for 20 minutes she worked on him,” Ms Nicholson said. “We want to say a big thank you to you, for taking care of our boy in the end.”
Jason Parker, a mate of Blaze’s, said his death has prompted many in the cycling community to reconsider their approach to road safety.
“Since his tragic loss, many of us have rethought riding our bikes on the highway. Which is actually the safest place due to the wide breakdown lane.”
A white bike has been placed at the crash scene in memory of the young cyclist. The Manning Valley Cycle Club rode in club colours in “one final bunchie” accompanying Blaze’s body from St John’s Anglican Church in Taree to Dawson River Lawn cemetery on January 14, where he was laid to rest.
“He is a much missed member of the Manning Valley Cycle Club,” Mr Parker said.
The case has been adjourned to September 14.
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