Stanley Chudleigh was an 84-year-old retired tradie with a passion for travel and an impeccable driving record; Michael Drury a doting father-of-two who enjoyed nothing more than going for a spin on his beloved Harley Davidson.
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Two men who had little in common but are now inextricably linked through a tragedy that has changed both of their lives forever.
It was just after 2pm on March 6 when Mr Chudleigh became confused and lost concentration while driving along the Princes Highway at Kembla Grange, causing his vehicle to veer onto the wrong side of the road.
He travelled almost 100m against the flow of traffic in the southbound lane before colliding with Mr Drury’s oncoming Harley Davidson.
Doctors would later say they suspected Mr Chudleigh had suffered a medical episode similar to a “mini stroke” at the time, which impacted his driving ability.
However, the damage had already been done.
Mr Drury was airlifted to St George Hospital with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. Doctors told his family the next morning they were amazed he survived the night.
Mr Chudleigh underwent mandatory blood and urine testing but was found to have nothing untoward in his system. His wife, who had been riding in the front seat, went to hospital with a broken foot.
It would be the last time Mr Chudleigh drove a car.
He walked in to Lake Illawarra Police Station on March and without prompting, handed detectives his licence, telling them “I’d like you to take this. One mistake is one mistake too many for me”.
Mr Chudleigh was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and misconduct in a motor vehicle; he pleaded guilty to both.
In court on Tuesday, defence lawyer Melissa Humphreys said Mr Chudleigh had led a blame-free life, including being licensed for 67 years without incurring a single traffic fine.
“He retired at 60 and drove around Australia for 10-15 years. He’s never been before a court,” she said.
“This is a tragic accident...it’s had far reaching effects on him, he’s suffered post-traumatic stress as a result.”
She said Chudleigh had no plans to ever renew his licence.
Meantime, Mr Drury’s mother read a statement out on behalf of her son, who was unable to attend the proceedings because of a doctor’s appointment.
However, he told the court in his statement his life would be forever changed due to his crippling injuries.
“My life will never be the same...this should not have happened,” Mr Drury wrote.
“I have no hearing on my left side. I will never hear my kids’ voices naturally again. I hate what this is doing to my family.”
He said he was out of hospital and walking with crutches but the road to recovery was long and hard.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart labelled the incident a “tragic accident” and said his heart went out to both families. He placed Mr Chudleigh on a two-year bond, noting his clean record and remorse.
“We just have this dreadful event occurring which has impacted many many lives,” he said.
“This is a tragic situation.”
Outside court, Mr Chudleigh offered his apologies to Mr Drury and his family: “I hope he gets well soon with no problems. I’m very sorry for him.”
Meantime, Mr Drury’s brother Dale said the family was happy with the sentence.
“You definitely don’t want an old person to go to jail or that, we just don’t want anything like this to happen to other families,” he said.
Renee Drury said Michael was getting better every day.
“He’s a fighter, he hasn’t given up. We’re lucky that he’s Michael, he’s got the spirit inside of him and nothing will knock him down,” she said.
