ZedJ

Stonehaven crash: Shaun Bartlett charged after death of Justin Willman

Two friends were “next level drunk” when one was fatally run over by the other in a ute on a regional Victorian property, a court has heard.

Justin Willman, 52, died after he was allegedly struck by a car in a paddock on his friend’s farm in Stonehaven, west of Geelong, at about 9.30pm on Saturday.

Long-term friend Shaun Bartlett, 42, appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday facing charges of culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Bartlett was granted bail despite the sitting magistrate articulating the “very serious” nature of the alleged offences, which the court heard carried a maximum penalty of 25 years’ prison if proven.

Rebecca Gauci, a Detective Senior Constable attached to the Major Collisions Investigation Unit, said the incident occurred at Mr Bartlett’s property, which the court heard was roughly 100 acres of largely paddocks, where the accused lives with his partner and two children.

Senior Constable Gauci said Mr Bartlett, Mr Willman and a third friend had been drinking beside a dam on the property when the incident occurred.

She said the accused had started his car and had driven off, after which Mr Willman was discovered unconscious and not breathing by the pair’s third friend, who called his wife at about 9.30pm, the court heard.

Mr Bartlett continued driving, including through fences, and was found by police still with his car, however without any recollection of what had happened, Senior Constable Gauci said.

She said the accused was taken to Geelong Hospital with a high blood alcohol level, while police received a statement from the third friend which said the pair was “next level drunk” and that Mr Bartlett had run Mr Willman over.

Senior Constable Gauci also said cannabis was found on a chair by the dam.

A silver Toyota Hilux is being forensically examined by investigators, the court heard.

Mr Bartlett’s partner told Magistrate Michelle Hodgson that “Bartlett would have a drink on most days” often not to excess, however would tend to drink more when he was in the company of friends.

Mr Bartlett works in civil construction, the court heard, and operates heavy machinery as part of his job.

Magistrate Hodgson said the “very tragic death” of Mr Willman was “a most serious (alleged) offence”.

Citing his lack of relevant criminal history and the likely delay in bringing the matter to trial, she said she was satisfied she could grant Mr Bartlett bail.

The matter is expected to return to court on June 5.

Over the weekend, tributes flowed for Mr Willman, a mechanic from neighbouring Stonehaven.

“Myself and everybody involved in the motorcycle industry in Geelong and surrounding districts are shocked and saddened at the loss of one of the best motorcycle mechanics around,” Motion Motorcycles wrote on Facebook.

“A sad day for the local moto community. A great man and an excellent mechanic who will be missed by us and many,” Geelong’s Motorcycle Shed wrote on Facebook.

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Abbie Anker

Update: 2024-05-15