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Saturday July 31, 2010

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Drink driver blows .287 outside funeral

Posted by: Ben Wise | 21 January, 2010 - 11:03 AM

Image

ABOVE: An image taken from an open Facebook group remembering the victims of the horrific Mill Park crash.


UPDATE: 3AW's Yvette Gray reports that a 47-year-old man who reversed into a car outside the funeral of Mill Park crash victim, Anthony Iannetta, has recorded a Blood Alcohol Reading of .287.

Gray said the man - an unlicensed driver - could 'barely walk' when he was removed from the vehicle and is now at Epping Station where he will almost certainly be charged with drink driving-related offences.

'.287, that's almost dead!" said Neil Mitchell as Gray reported the news.

REPORT (Thomas Hunter): Heartbreak turned to anger today as mourners farewelling one of five young people killed in Sunday’s Mill Park crash turned on the media.

Mourners waiting for the hearse to depart the funeral of 18-year-old Anthony Iannetta angrily confronted members of the media and other onlookers, including local residents and people passing by.

Young men in black left the St Francis of Assisi Church, crossed a road and walked threateningly towards journalists until friends and police helped diffuse the situation.

The group, which numbered more than 50, told reporters and cameramen to ‘‘f--- off’’ and ‘‘show some respect’’.

"You’re lucky I don’t f-----g bash you,’’ a young woman yelled at a cameraman.

Another journalist was told to ‘‘f--- off’’ or he would have his camera smashed.

Tensions eased when a police officer drove his car between the advancing mob and onlookers.

Many of the mourners then headed for the nearby site of Sunday morning’s crash. Police said they would be keeping a ‘‘close eye’’ on the gathering.

Senior Sergeant Steve Reynolds said the speed limit had been decreased to 60km/h around the crash site on Plenty Road, where a makeshist memorial has grown since since Sunday.

He said mourners had been ‘‘fairly well behaved’’ but he urged people to be aware of the traffic.

‘‘We are mindful of people wanting to mourn (at the crash site) but you’ve also got to be mindful that it’s really close to a main road,’’ Senior Sergeant Reynolds said.

Earlier, a predominantly young crowd hugged and shook hands outside the church as they prepared to farewell Ianetta, 18.

A silver hearse made its way slowly up Childs Road shortly before 10.30am.

Carrying the casket, it was followed by a limousine and other cars ferrying the 18-year-old's relatives.

The casket, festooned with flowers, was lifted by a group of young men dressed in black suits and shining pink ties from the car.

The group took the coffin through the crowd and followed it inside for the start of the funeral.

Police are maintaining a strong presence outside the church.

A divisional van sits on the median strip about 50 metres down the road, while a highway patrol vehicle, with hazard lights flashing, sits opposite the church as a warning to oncoming traffic.

The tree adjacent to the crash site is surrounded by flowers, bottles of Jim Beam, a Richmond Football Club scarf, packets of cigarettes, candles, Australian flags and balloons.

One mourner, on his way to the church, said: "It's a massive wake-up call for all of us".

"We know a mistake was made, but we just want to be left to mourn," said the man, who didn't want to be named but lost three close friends in the crash.

He said people paying their respects at the crash site have been abused by passing motorists.

"People have been yelling 'All six should have gone', and 'Take the weeds out while you're there'. Of course we're going to react angrily. We just want to be here to say goodbye to our friends."

PLAYING BELOW: Mourners react to media presence at funeral.

'I was absolutely blind'

Drunk A man who lost his leg in crash - going 130km/h and with a blood alchol reading of 0.19 - speaks to Neil Mitchell about his terrifying experience, which he says was caused by an inexcusable stuff-up. There have been calls for this interview to be played to young drivers as part of beefed-up driver education.

Teenage killer was drunk

Image of deceased drunk driver Johnstone from Facebook WEDNESDAY UPDATE: The driver of the car which slammed into a tree in Mill Park, killing five people, had a blood alcohol reading of .19. The news comes as family and friends prepare for the first funeral as a result of the tragedy. Read and hear more.


YOUR Road Safety ideas here

Neil Mitchell working for the Rudd government - help him 3AW Mornings host Neil Mitchell has been appointed a Road Safety Ambassador by the Federal Government. 3AW Mornings invites you to add your ideas to improve the safety of those driving on Australian roads. Neil is a strong believer in improving driver education. What is your 'most important' idea?

Blog comments Your Say

  • I'm good friends of two of the boys that died in that crash.
    And the camera people got everything they desereved. Do you not expect to be swore at and threatened when you're filming a funeral, when everyone is depressed and in stress.
    People need to learn to get some respect.

    eleanor. Monday 19 April, 2010 - 12:02 PM

  • This is news that is what the media gets paid to do ... the gangland people showed respect to the media when all the funerals where across the news ..

    poss Friday 22 January, 2010 - 12:08 PM

  • Whilst I have no problem criticising these 5 kids for their stupid decisions that led to their premature deaths, I believe the media should have left the family alone and not camped outside the funeral. What was to be gained or learned from their presence? The kids are dead: D-E-A-D. That's a fact. Showing the coffins and the greiving relatives doesn't make it any more real.

    Leave the families to deal with their grief - don't be shoving cameras in their faces.

    Maria Thursday 21 January, 2010 - 11:50 PM

  • Look at theese Ferals throwing Rocks at the Cameras Drinking and carrying on. They still think its cool too drink and carry on like idiots. Zero Tolerance is the Only way too handle mornons like this. U can talk and educate them until the Cows come home. Absolute Fools.

    Glenn Logan Thursday 21 January, 2010 - 11:15 PM

  • i feel for the families and friends who have to pick up the pieces now, such a tragedy... as for the driver, he can rot in hell

    anon Thursday 21 January, 2010 - 10:55 PM

  • I would suspect that the collective IQ of the people gathered at the funeral was minus 5

    Mark Thursday 21 January, 2010 - 9:06 PM

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