Key Takeaways
- Richard Pusey is suing Victoria Police for compensation arising from the April 2020 Eastern Freeway crash that killed four officers.
- He alleges the police directed him to an unsafe spot on the freeway, failed to safeguard his wellbeing, and caused the destruction of his Porsche and psychological trauma.
- Pusey also claims false imprisonment, unlawful disclosure of personal information, and aggravated damages for the humiliation and media exposure he suffered after the incident.
- The writ filed in Victoria’s Supreme Court does not mention his criminal conviction for outraging public decency for filming the dying officers.
- Police have acknowledged the filing, reject the allegations, and intend to defend the case in court.
Background of the Eastern Freeway Tragedy
On 22 April 2020, a truck driven by Mohinder Singh collided with a police patrol on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway, resulting in the deaths of Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, and Constables Josh Prestney and Glen Humphris – the worst single loss of Victorian police life in history. At the time, officers had pulled over Richard Pusey for excessive speed and were discussing the possible impoundment of his Porsche when the crash occurred.
Pusey’s Civil Claim Against Victoria Police
Richard Pusey initiated a civil action in the Supreme Court of Victoria, asserting that the police breached their duty of care. He contends that officers directed him to stop in an unsafe location on the freeway and neglected to take reasonable steps to protect him from the ensuing collision. According to his writ, this negligence led to both property damage and personal injury.
Allegations of Property Loss and Physical Harm
Pusey states that his $450,000 Porsche sports car was destroyed in the impact and that he was “exposed to a traumatic crash.” He seeks compensation for the vehicle’s loss, medical expenses arising from any physical injuries sustained, and related out‑of‑pocket costs incurred as a direct result of the police‑directed stop.
Psychiatric Injury and Economic Impact
The lawsuit also claims that Pusey suffered psychiatric injury, including anxiety, distress, and a diminished capacity to work. He alleges loss of income and earning capacity stemming from the trauma, and he requests damages to cover past and future economic losses linked to his mental health condition.
False Imprisonment Allegations
Beyond the crash‑related claims, Pusey accuses Victoria Police of false imprisonment. He argues that, in April 2020, officers went to his residence and arrested him despite prior arrangements for him to attend a police station voluntarily. Pusey maintains that the arrest was unnecessary, disproportionate, and unlawful, resulting in his unlawful detention.
Unauthorised Disclosure of Personal Information
Pusey further contends that police revealed his personal details—including his residential address—to third parties without his consent. He asserts that this breach intensified his fear for his own safety and that of his family, contributing to ongoing distress and anxiety.
Aggravated Damages for Humiliation and Media Exposure
The writ seeks aggravated damages for the manner in which Pusey was treated after the crash. He alleges that being publicly identified and subjected to intense media attention caused humiliation and emotional suffering. Pusey argues that the police’s actions exacerbated this publicity, warranting additional compensation beyond ordinary damages.
Prior Criminal Conviction and Judicial Commentary
Although the civil writ does not reference it, Pusey was previously convicted in County Court of outraging public decency for filming the dying officers and making derogatory remarks. Judge Trevor Wraight described his conduct as “heartless, cruel and disgraceful,” sentencing him to ten months’ imprisonment in April 2021. The criminal conviction remains a salient fact in the public perception of the case.
Police Response and Ongoing Litigation
Victoria Police has confirmed awareness of the lawsuit, rejected the allegations made by Pusey, and stated that it will defend the matter vigorously. A police spokesperson emphasized that the force denies any breach of duty and intends to contest each claim in court. The case remains pending, with both parties preparing for further legal proceedings.