ilts 
| 17 Apr 2010
I am so sorry Elliott was taken. Faith in the justice is something I lost too but their is love to have faith in. You had that with and for Elliott and know one can take that from you thats yours forever.
The legal system needs to be reviewed when it comes to fatal car accidents. The Advertiser (Adelaide) reported yesterday on the findings from the Adelaide Court in response to the death of 19 year old Elliott Stapleton-Coory. Elliott was travelling home on a motorcycle on October 10th, 2008. On Mt Barker road 45 year old Peter Anthony Johnson from Oakden was apparently lost and attempted to do a 3 point turn across the road. Mr Johnson was driving a large shipment truck and effectively cut off the entire road for any oncoming traffic to pass. Elliott was travelling at the legal speed as found by the investigators of the crash and died instantly on impact. There was no way he could have avoided the collision.
After yesterdays hearing, Mr Peter Anthony Johnson walked out of the court room a free man. His punishment, a 12 year ban from driving, 320 hours community service, and a 4 year suspended jail sentence with a 3 year good behaviour bond.
A life is taken and the man who does it walks out of the court practically free. What happened to the justice for his mother, father, sister, brother and the many, many friends who loved him so much? Does our grief not count?
Elliott's father spoke to the media after the court had read its verdict. All he asked was for the government to enforce more drivers education.
I find it hard, to struggle through the daily processes of Elliott's death. I was overseas at the time and I was not made aware of his death until almost 6 months later. My deepest regret is I was never able to say goodbye. It was always known to Elliott that I loved him dearly. Sometimes the pain in my chest gets so bad I find that I'm almost suffocating. I have to remind myself to breathe. And I know that this is not what Elliott wants for me, for any of us. But I feel so much anger and resentment, and hurt. I thought the legal system was supposed to give innocent people a voice and to do the right thing. So why is it that a man takes another man's life through nothing but sheer negligence and he walks away free. He didn't give Elliott a chance to live. Its hard not lose faith when this happens. All our hopes on justice will prevail just got washed down the drain. All thats left is bitter disappointment and emptiness.
Written on 16 Apr 2010
Over 3 years since incident
Tags:
road safety, Truck, motorcycle
ilts | 17 Apr 2010
I am so sorry Elliott was taken. Faith in the justice is something I lost too but their is love to have faith in. You had that with and for Elliott and know one can take that from you thats yours forever.
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Drug driver survivor
| 16 Apr 2010
Even when the Justice system (often an ass) gets it right it does not make much difference to our pain. Sorry for your loss and that you missed on notification so couldn’t be involved with goodbyes.