Fresh allegations have reignited scrutiny over a notorious traffic incident from more than a decade ago, known as the 'Bike Boy' crash, which involved former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine.
New Evidence Brief Prepared for Police Chief
Former police officer Scott Hanley has informed the Daily Mail that he has compiled a comprehensive brief of evidence on behalf of Ryan Meuleman. Hanley intends to present this dossier to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush in a formal meeting scheduled within the next two to three weeks.
The evidence will subsequently be forwarded to the Office of Public Prosecutions, which will determine if any criminal charges should be laid. "The brief of evidence is ready to go," Mr Hanley stated. "We'll be formally asking the Commissioner to commence an investigation – because one was never properly opened in the first place."
The 2013 Collision and Its Aftermath
The incident occurred on January 7, 2013, in the Mornington Peninsula town of Blairgowrie. Ryan Meuleman, then aged 15, was cycling when he collided with a Ford Territory driven by Catherine Andrews. Daniel Andrews, then the Victorian Opposition Leader, and the couple's three children were passengers in the vehicle.
The teenage cyclist sustained catastrophic injuries, including a punctured lung, broken ribs, and severe internal bleeding. He was airlifted to hospital and later lost most of his spleen.
According to statements from the Andrews at the time, their car had stopped before turning into Ridley Street and was moving slowly when it was struck hard on the front driver's side by Mr Meuleman, who was travelling from a nearby bike path partly obscured by trees. Daniel Andrews described the impact as a T-bone collision where the cyclist "was literally inside the car."
Allegations of Police Failures and Procedural Flaws
After investigating the case for over two and a half years as a private investigator for the Meuleman family, Scott Hanley alleges that police committed at least 35 procedural failures. He claims officers failed to interview Mr Meuleman or key witnesses, did not properly examine the vehicle involved, and allowed the initial investigation to lapse.
Hanley, who was initially dispatched to the crash scene while on duty in Sorrento, says he was ordered to stand down over police radio before arriving, with the job reassigned to officers from Rye Police Station. He described this as "highly unusual and a bit weird," questioning why the closest available crew was not used for a critical incident.
Further contentious revelations have emerged over the years:
- In 2017, it was revealed two junior officers who attended failed to breathalyse Catherine Andrews, each assuming the other had done so.
- Police never formally interviewed Ryan Meuleman, initially due to his injuries but with no follow-up after his recovery.
- An independent review by senior Victoria Police traffic expert Dr Raymond Shuey in 2023 contradicted the Andrews' account of the crash. This review was prepared for a Supreme Court action against law firm Slater and Gordon, which later settled confidentially.
Daniel Andrews previously dismissed the independent report as "conspiracy theories dressed up as journalism." The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) cleared police of wrongdoing in a review finalised in December 2017.
Ongoing Legal Battle and Defamation Case
The renewed focus on the crash comes shortly after it was revealed that Daniel and Catherine Andrews missed a Federal Court deadline to file a defence in a separate defamation case brought by Ryan Meuleman. The deadline of December 19 passed without a filing being lodged.
Mr Meuleman alleges he was subjected to online abuse and called a 'grifter' after the couple issued a media statement in September 2024 describing the independent review as "appalling conspiracy theories." The Andrews deny defaming him and rejected a proposal for a $50,000 compensation payment and apology.
According to a Federal Court statement of claim, Mr Meuleman, now 27, continues to suffer chronic pain and significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma. His father stated this week that his son checked into a Victorian treatment centre last month.
Scott Hanley has warned that time is critical, as statutes of limitation could soon prevent any further action. He has also suggested potential motives for the case's handling, asking, "Senior police are on government contracts, do you really want to rock the boat and lose your job?"
A Victoria Police spokesperson maintained that "Victoria Police conducted a comprehensive investigation into this matter, as did IBAC, and all findings were consistent."
