Daniel Andrews, the former Premier of Victoria, along with his wife Catherine, now face a lawsuit filed by a cyclist they allegedly struck with their vehicle a decade ago. The incident dates back to January 2013.
Ryan Meuleman, the cyclist involved in the collision with the Andrews’ SUV, officially initiated legal proceedings by submitting documents to the Federal Court this past Tuesday.
At the time of the accident, Meuleman was just 15 years old. The collision occurred in Blairgowrie, a town situated on Melbourne’s scenic Mornington Peninsula. The impact left Meuleman with severe injuries, necessitating an emergency airlift to The Royal Children’s Hospital. His injuries were critical, including a punctured lung, several broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, and internal bleeding.
In a recent development, the Meuleman family has announced their intention to present what they describe as “new” evidence to the Chief Commissioner of Police. This announcement was made through a statement released on Friday.
While the details of this new evidence remain undisclosed, a family representative noted, “Out of respect and deference to the Federal Court, Ryan and his family will not be publicly commenting on these new defamation proceedings.”
‘Out of respect and deference to the Federal Court, Ryan and his family will not be publicly commenting on these new defamation proceedings,’ a representative said.
‘Separately, Ryan continues to advocate for a full criminal investigation into the accident.
‘His investigation team has been gathering new evidence which they will present to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in the coming weeks.’
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and wife Catherine are being sued by the teenager they allegedly hit with their car in an infamous incident in 2013
Ryan Meuleman was airlifted to The Royal Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries after he collided with the Andrews’ car on the Mornington Peninsula
Mrs Andrews collided with the cyclist while her husband, who was Victoria’s then-opposition leader, and their three children were all in the car.
There was extensive damage to the front of the Andrews’ car and its windscreen.
An Ambulance Victoria report stated the SUV ‘struck’ Mr Meuleman while ‘travelling at 40 to 60km/h’.
The former premier insisted his wife came to a ‘complete stop’ and ‘turned right from a stationary position’ moments before Mr Meuleman T-boned their Ford Territory.
Police closed the case without pressing charges, and officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the corruption watchdog.
But more than a decade later, a bombshell review of the crash found the police investigation that supported the Andrews’ version of events was ‘deeply flawed’.
Mr Meuleman insisted that the car was ‘speeding’ and ‘came out of nowhere’.
Earlier this year, Mr Meuleman received an out-of-court settlement worth several hundred thousand dollars over the incident.
Premier Daniel Andrews’ Ford Territory car after the crash with Ryan Meuleman. Police reported Mrs Andrews as being behind the wheel at the time of the accident
Slater & Gordon handed over the payout after Mr Meuleman alleged that his former lawyers failed to appropriately investigate the crash.
He alleged his lawyers urged him to take $80,000 in compensation from the Transport Accident Commission and to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations, Dr Raymond Shuey, stated the SUV struck the teen after ‘travelling at speed’ and on the wrong side of the road.
‘The statements from both Daniel and Catherine Andrews that their vehicle stopped at Melbourne Rd are not consistent with impact consequences, nor the report by (witness) Brad Morgan of the squeal of tyres prior to impact,’ he wrote in 2024.
‘The effective vehicle stopping distance of 19.2metres following impact is indicative of a speed of 45km/h prior to impact.
‘The version as provided by Catherine and Daniel Andrews is considered improbable and implausible. The truth is still outstanding.
‘It is most probable that the vehicle undertook a sweep turn at speed, cutting the corner and still on the incorrect side of the roadway in Ridley Street, 27metres from Melbourne Road when the collision occurred.’
In response to Dr Shuey’s review, the Andrews’ released a scathing statement.
‘This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers,’ it said.
‘We are not a party to this legal action. We did nothing wrong. This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies,’ they said.
Daily Mail has contacted Mr Andrews for comment.
