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Herald Sun A hit-run driver who killed a cyclist and then torched his car to cover up the crime before launching himself on a crime spree has been jailed for between three and more than five years. Daniel Veerman inexplicably drove across a dedicated bicycle lane on Mt Dandenong Rd, Ringwood East and ran over cyclist Keiran Bailey in March this year, sending the 44-year-old victim across the bonnet and roof of Veerman's sedan. Stopping momentarily after the crash, Veerman then fled and set fire to his car at the carpark of Daisey's Hotel, 600m away, the County Court was told. Mr Bailey's sister, Linda Ray, said the family was disappointed Veerman may have to serve just a threeyear- minimum sentence for the death and it was unlikely he would serve the full five-year and three-month maximum. "We are really disappointed, we know the maximum for that offence (dangerous driving causing death) was only 10 years, but it's never going to be enough," Ms Ray told the Herald Sun after the sentence. Although there were no drug or alcohol tests because Veerman fled, Ms Ray said she believed Veerman's long-term drug abuse - as detailed in court - would have been a factor in the case. Veerman, a marine science graduate, had turned to drugs and suffered mental health issues after a relationship breakdown, the court had heard. At the time of impact Veerman was travelling an estimated 80km/h, 10km/h over the speed limit, the court heard. Mr Bailey, 44, a psychiatric nurse, died of head injuries at the Alfred Hospital two days after the hit and run. Defence lawyer Richard Edney said Veerman had no recollection of the crash or the crimes afterward, and his first memory was after being picked up by police in Geelong. He said there was no evidence that drugs or alcohol were involved in the collision which occurred shortly after three lanes merged into two and shared the roadway with a designated bike lane. Veerman reappeared in Sunbury the day after the crash and was picked up by police walking a highway but released after giving a false name, the court heard. He then went on a 48-hour spree which included him stealing a car, attempting to steal another and carrying out petrol and cigarette thefts from Sunbury to Colac. Judge Felicity Hampel last week sentenced Veerman, 33, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, failure to render assistance and theft charges, to five years and three months jail with a non-parole period of three years. |
Types of Brain Injury
Brain injury has several “primary” causes, such as physical trauma, stroke or brain bleed, drug or alcohol abuse, poisoning, a tumor, suffocation, or a number of diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or Multiple Sclerosis. Primary causes can lead to many “secondary” complications, such as bleeding, blood clots, increased intracranial pressure, oxygen starvation, swelling, and epilepsy.
Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired brain injury (TBI) is often called the “hidden disability” because it affects intangible processes like thinking and behavior.
Since it’s not physically visible or easily recognized, it’s often its long term problems are usually in the areas of thinking and behaviour, and are not as easy to see and recognise as many other physical disabilities.
Since it’s not physically visible or easily recognized, it’s often its long term problems are usually in the areas of thinking and behaviour, and are not as easy to see and recognise as many other physical disabilities.
Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
Any injury to the brain that does not result from Non-traumatic injury any cause that does not injure the brain using physical force, but rather occurs via poising, tumor, infection or degenerative disease.
Causes include lack of oxygen, glucose, or blood, is considered non-traumatic. Infections can cause encephalitis (brain swelling)
Causes include lack of oxygen, glucose, or blood, is considered non-traumatic. Infections can cause encephalitis (brain swelling)
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acquired brain injury (ABI) caused by physical damage to the brain, either as a result of a a blow to the head or by the brain impacting with the skull via a whiplash motion of the head. Bruising, bleeding, swelling, or tearing of brain tissue may occur. The head being forced to move rapidly forward or backward
Open Head Injury
When the meninges and/or skull are broken and the brain penetrates one or both, that is called an open head injury. This is especially dangerous because a bone fragment or an open head injury occurs when the skull and membrane lining of the brain have been fractured, cracked or broken so that the brain is exposed or penetrated.
Mild Brain Injury
Sometimes, when the head is struck or moved violently there may be trauma to the brain. Brain injuries do not necessarily result from loss of consciousness and the person may not seem appear to need to require medical care or attention.
Even so, there may be some mild brain damage to the brain that may interfere with the person’s everyday living.
Even so, there may be some mild brain damage to the brain that may interfere with the person’s everyday living.
Closed Head Injury
Closed head injury is the most common cause of brain injury. TBIs are closed head injuries, which occur with blunt force or whiplash trauma that does not break the skull and/or the meninges (the membranes around the brain). It occurs when the head is struck or moved violently but the skull and/or membrane lining of the brain is not broken or penetrated.