Truck driver Mohinder Singh faces court after fatal police crash
A Melbourne truck driver accused of killing four police in a horror crash says he is "distressed and saddened" by the tragedy.
Mohinder Singh, 47, is charged with culpable driving causing the deaths of Leading Senior Constable Lynnette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney as they were impounding a Porsche on the Eastern Freeway at Kew last Wednesday.
Singh didn't speak and kept his head down when he appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
His lawyer Steven Pica said Singh had anxiety and depression and may have had an undiagnosed psychiatric issue his whole life.
"Mr Singh remains distressed and saddened at the tragic consequences of his acts," Mr Pica said.
He has previously taken medication for anxiety, though not for some time, Mr Pica said.
He noted that Singh might require psychiatric treatment or assistance, including counselling.
The 47-year-old from Cranbourne in Melbourne's southeast did not apply for bail.
The truck driver remains in hospital. Facebook
Prosecutors requested additional time to put together their brief of evidence.
Analysis of the truck is being done overseas.
Police also need time to collate CCTV and body-worn camera footage and a forensic report is required.
The 47-year-old had been in hospital until last night. He was charged after a joint investigation by the Major Collision Investigation Unit and the homicide squad.
Singh is due to return to court for a committal mention on October 1.
Porsche driver remains in custody
The four police officers died when a truck crashed into them while they were dealing with a Porsche driver in an emergency lane on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway at Kew.
Porsche driver Richard Pusey, 41, has been charged with nine offences, including driving at a dangerous speed, reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance and drug possession.
Mr Pusey was pulled over for allegedly speeding at 140km/h and police say he tested positive to ice and cannabis on the Eastern Freeway last Wednesday.
He was urinating on the side of the road, when the truck driver allegedly smashed into four officers impounding his Porsche 911.
READ MORE: Mother of Porsche driver Richard Pusey breaks silence over Eastern Freeway tragedy
Kevin King, Joshua Prestney, Lynette Taylor and Glen Humphris were all killed. Supplied
Richard Pusey, the driver of a Porsche who allegedly fled the scene of a truck crash on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway. AAP
One of them, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, could be heard calling for help before Mr Pusey began filming the crash. He allegedly walked up to her and said: "There you go. Amazing, absolutely amazing".
"All I wanted was to go home and have my sushi and now you've f----- my f------ car," Mr Pusey allegedly said as Senior Constable Lynette Taylor continued to groan for help, the Melbourne Magistrates Court was told.
The officer and three of her colleagues, Senior Constable Kevin King and Constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney, died at the scene, with Mr Pusey allegedly running away.
He remains in custody on remand.
Off-duty doctor witnessed 'terrible' crash
Emergency workers have spoken of the horrific scenes they were confronted with at the quadruple fatal crash as police reveal the mental toll it took.
First responder Dr Amanda Sampson, an off-duty doctor, told 9News she was one of the first two vehicles at the scene of the Eastern Freeway crash, witnessing the devastating accident on Wednesday night.
"I can tell you it was a terrible scene, and just one that I will never forget," she said.
"But it's not about me, it's about those four people, and it's about their families and it's about the whole police community.
"My whole heart aches for them."
Dr Sampson said there were many responders who cared for the officers at the crash scene, doing everything they could to save their lives.
She claimed the remarks from the Porsche driver heard in court were not the last words Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor heard.
"We did what we could under the circumstances, and it was an awful situation... but they were cared for and comforted as best they could be."
'It's heartbreaking'
Police raided residential addresses in Melbourne's outer east and south-east today in relation to the investigation involving Mr Singh.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Libby Murphy said the Major Collision Investigation Unit had executed search warrants at premises in Croydon and Frankston, which would form part of the investigation into the truck company.
"This morning our MCIU and our heavy vehicle unit have executed two search warrants at addresses in Croydon and Frankston associated with the trucking company," she said.
Assistant Police Commissioner Libby Murphy speaks to the media. Photograph by Chris Hopkins
"They are at residential addresses at the moment and people associated with the companies."
The prime mover is registered in Queensland with plates XV85IE and the trailer registration is 84IQWQ, she said.
Ass. Comm. Murphy said the fatal accident had understandably rocked the police force.
She said she went through the academy with Ms Taylor 31 years ago and all four deaths were "heartbreaking".
"I don't think it could not impact anyone, it's difficult in many circumstances. For me it's quite confronting," she said.
"If you've attended the scene, it was quite horrendous. We are very grateful to those first responders."
She urged any witnesses or those with dashcam footage to continue coming forward to assist with the investigation.
"My message is be a good human, have some respect for people."
- Reported with AAP
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