Man jailed for fatal motorcycle crash

Laine Clark | December 14, 2022

Moments after his passenger had been flung down an embankment and found unresponsive, Mitchell Murray Hanley tried to blame her for the fatal motorcycle crash.

His female friend lost her helmet on impact when thrown from an unlicensed Hanley’s unregistered motorbike as he tried to overtake two vehicles at excessive speed in Brisbane’s south in October 2020.

On a section of Mount Cotton Road where overtaking was prohibited, Hanley passed the first vehicle travelling in excess of 100km/h – more than 20km/h over the speed limit.

Without checking, Hanley then switched to the oncoming traffic lane in an attempt to overtake the other vehicle.

However, he was forced to swerve from oncoming traffic and clipped the back of the second vehicle he had tried to pass, losing control.

“This was not just a miscalculation on your part. This was a deliberate action … the consequence of your behaviour had a tragic outcome,” Judge Brad Farr said.

Both Hanley and his passenger were flung from the motorcycle as it broke into pieces on impact with the other vehicle.

The passenger hit her head on a guard rail before falling down an embankment, losing her helmet.

Hanley was aggressive at the scene and had to be sedated after telling paramedics that his passenger had been riding the motorcycle when it crashed.

She was found unresponsive, dying days later at hospital after being declared brain dead and her life support was switched off.

Hanley also required treatment at hospital where staff found 20 rounds of ammunition in his possession.

Hanley later told police he was aware that his licence had been disqualified but believed his motorcycle was “mechanically fine”.

He had been released from custody just 20 days earlier and was on probation at the time.

Hanley’s lengthy criminal and traffic history was detailed in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday.

He had been convicted of 66 offences including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle on four previous occasions.

In April 2016 he was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence absolutely.

“As Judge Kent said to you many years ago, you and motor vehicles don’t seem to mix well together, and you have now committed an offence where someone has been killed,” Judge Farr said.

Hanley had breached bail 10 times as well as six domestic violence orders, two suspended sentences and probation twice, the court heard.

He also had a history of reoffending while on parole, Judge Farr said.

Hanley had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder – which had remained untreated – as well as substance abuse and anti-social personality disorders, the court heard.

He had consumed drugs in the days leading up to the crash but was not intoxicated at the time.

Hanley, 31, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a number of charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

He was sentenced to seven years in jail and disqualified from obtaining or holding a driver’s licence absolutely.

Hanley will be eligible for parole in June 2023, with 785 days in custody declared time served.