The driver who caused a catastrophic pile up on Sydney’s M4 that killed a tradesman on his way to work told police that he ‘didn’t see’ the collision before fleeing the scene.
Francis Omigie, 53, changed lanes in his Toyota Echo and suddenly stopped on the M4 at the Church Street off-ramp in Sydney’s west on May 9, 2019 – causing a multi-vehicle crash at about 5.50am.
An Isuzu truck carrying beer kegs was unable to avoid the 11-vehicle pile up on the ‘Death Valley’ exit before hitting a ute that killed Irish tradesman Francis Shanley, 36, from Wentworthville.
Francis Omigie (pictured) has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist after telling officers he ‘didn’t see’ the fatal M4 crash in 2019
Omigie, 53, changed lanes in his Toyota Echo and suddenly stopped on the M4 that caused an 11-vehicle pile up (pictured)
Francis Omigie, 53, is now in custody and is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison
Omigie, who migrated to Australia from Nigeria, drove away unscathed and told NSW Police that he ‘didn’t see’ the crash after 200 metres of debris was left sprawled along the motorway.
The Parramatta Local Court was shown footage of Omigie’s interrogation on Thursday, where he slammed his hands on the desk before responding to a police officer in an expletive-ridden rant.
‘I swear to god I didn’t see it,’ he said.
Police questioned the part-time electrical trades assistant on whether he stopped his vehicle to avoid paying tolls.
Irish tradesman Francis Shanley, 36, (pictured)was killed after truck carrying beer kegs unable to avoid the pile up crashed into his ute
Omigie drove away unscathed and told NSW Police that he ‘didn’t see’ the crash after 200 metres of debris was left sprawled along the motorway (pictured: aftermath of the fatal crash)
Police questioned the part-time electrical trades assistant on whether he stopped his vehicle along the exit dubbed ‘Death Valley’ to avoid paying tolls.
Irishman Francis Shanley, 36, from Wentworthville (pictured) died from the 11-vehicle crash
‘Did you decide that you didn’t wanna pay the toll and decide to try and exit the freeway at Church Street, is that what you were trying to do?’ An officer asked.
Omigie denied the claim and said his car had lost power earlier that morning but police found no mechanical issues.
He was also questioned about a text message he sent to his wife saying he nearly got hit in a collision.
‘It didn’t happen, I just sent it just to have sympathy that’s all,’ he explained to police.
The 53-year-old was found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist.
During the trial the Nigerian national attempted to shift the blame of the fatal crash on truck driver Luke Tisdell, claiming he had marijuana in his system 30 minutes before the collision.
Omigie (pictured) denied police claims that he tried to exit the freeway at Church street to avoid paying tolls
Omigie, 53, (pictured) was found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist
An Isuzu truck carrying beer kegs (pictured) was unable to avoid the 11-vehicle pile up that killed Irishman Francis Shanley
The 34-year-old truck driver said he had a cigarette and coffee the morning of the deadly crash while driving from his Winmalee home to the Toohey’s brewery at Lidcombe.
After the collision, Mr Tinsdell told the court: ‘I was scared and not in a very good mental state. I just killed someone and I’m still not over it’, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The court heard the truck driver of 15 years had never had an accident after he described the collision as ‘cars out to war’.
Omigie is now in custody and is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
At the time of the fatal crash, Mr Shanley’s devastated fiancee Broc Nicholson shared an emotional message about his death to Facebook.
‘He will be forever in our hearts and sadly missed. I thank you all for your love, support and messages of kind words.
‘Going to be a long road ahead getting back on our feet… Fly high my beautiful angel I love you forever and always.’
At the time of the fatal crash Mr Shanley’s devastated fiancee Broc Nicholson (pictured, left) said she will always love her ‘beautiful angel’
