Hunter Valley Bus Driver to Face Sentencing as Families Share Heartbreaking Impact of Crash

UPDATE: NEWEST ARTICLE: BRETT BUTTON HAS BEEN JAILED 32 YEARS: MORE: https://newy.com.au/2024/09/11/brett-button-hunter-valley-bus-driver-jailed-for-32-years/

Brett Andrew Button, the bus driver responsible for the tragic Hunter Valley crash in June 2023, is set to face sentencing this week. The incident, which claimed the lives of 10 wedding guests and injured 25 others, occurred as Button was driving a group home from a wedding at Wandin Valley Estate. His bus lost control while navigating a roundabout near Greta, which is North West of Newcastle, in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, overturning and leading to Australia’s deadliest road disaster in decades.

Button has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, and 16 counts of furious driving causing bodily harm. In court, it was revealed that Button had consumed 400mg of the opioid Tramadol, which impaired his driving ability. His speeding and erratic behaviour before the crash, including boasting to passengers about his driving skills, contributed to the disaster. Investigations confirmed that Button was travelling at nearly 60 km/h as he approached the roundabout, far exceeding the safe speed for such a vehicle.

The sentencing hearings, expected to take several days, will include victim impact statements from the families of those who lost their lives. Button is likely to face a significant jail term, with the most serious charge carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Although prosecutors initially charged Button with manslaughter, these charges were dropped in exchange for guilty pleas on the dangerous driving counts, a move that has angered some of the victims’ families​.

UPDATE: NEWEST ARTICLE: BRETT BUTTON HAS BEEN JAILED 32 YEARS: https://newy.com.au/2024/09/11/brett-button-hunter-valley-bus-driver-jailed-for-32-years/

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