Supporters of driver at centre of crash that killed four cops say he is being ‘illegally detained’

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Supporters of driver at centre of crash that killed four cops say he is being ‘illegally detained’

Supporters of the Porsche driver who allegedly fled the scene of a horrific highway crash and taunted police officers as they lay dying have bizarrely set up a GoFundMe campaign.

Richard Pusey’s Porsche was pulled over for allegedly travelling at 149km/h on the Eastern Freeway near Kew in Melbourne’s inner-east last Wednesday about 4.50pm.

A refrigerated chicken truck then ploughed into the group – killing four officers. 

Pusey, 41 – who allegedly tested positive to marijuana and meth after the crash – then allegedly screamed at Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor over the damage to his car as he filmed her clinging to life.

Despite the charges against him, a fundraising page titled ‘Richard Pusey Prison Support Fund’ was set up- which has since been removed by the founder after raising just $65.

Supporters of Porsche driver Richard Pusey (pictured) – who allegedly fled the scene of a horrific highway crash and taunted police officers as they lay dying – have bizarrely set up an online fundraiser claiming he is being ‘illegally detained’

Pictured: The GoFundMe account – which raised $65 before being shut down by the founder

‘While Richard Pusey is illegally detained we need to come together and help him through this hard time,’ the campaign said.

The fund claimed Victoria Police had ‘unfairly put all the blame on poor old mate Richard’.

The page said it aimed to use the money raised to buy ‘various goodies from the prison canteen’. 

‘Mr Pusey was innocently urinating on the side of the road, the only thing he did wrong was speed,’ the page read.

‘But for good reason, he needed to go home and eat his succulent Japanese meal – Sushi.’

It comes as multiple Facebook groups are set up to support Pusey, as well as disgustingly ask for footage and photographs of the graphic crash scene. 

In a post shared in one of the forums, one user asked ‘who’s got the actual vids’ – to which one responded ‘I got a short vid – pm [personal message] me’. 

Emergency services pictured taking the bodies of four police officers away from the scene

The fund claimed Victoria Police had ‘unfairly put all the blame on poor old mate Richard’, while a Facebook group supporting him encouraged its members to donate

In other exchanges, users express support for the motorist – who faced court on Friday charged with speeding, failing to assist at a crash scene and drug offences.

Victoria Police said earlier this week it was aware of the groups and was working to remove them. 

Pusey meanwhile has insisted the case against him is a conspiracy.

Prison sources told the Herald Sun Pusey refuses to accept any wrongdoing relating to the crash.

‘He is saying it is all a conspiracy,’ the prison insider said.

Multiple Facebook groups have emerged since the crash where members defend the 41-year-old former mortgage broker 

The police car that arrived at the scene was crushed by a refrigeration truck – killing four police officers who were standing by the roadside

Pusey, who remains in protective custody inside the same cell Cardinal George Pell once called home, is ‘difficult to manage’.

‘He is arrogant and playing up. He is difficult to manage and calls police and prison staff dogs,’ the insider said.  

The 41-year-old mortgage broker dodged death because he was urinating in a nearby bush, before allegedly berating one of the officers, taking photos of the dead bodies and then posting them online and fleeing on foot. 

Her colleagues, Senior Constable Kevin King, Glen Humphris, and Josh Prestney died at the scene.

‘There you go. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. All I wanted to do was go home and have my sushi,’ he allegedly said in the footage.

‘And now you f**ked my f**king car.’ 

His mother, who asked not to be named, disowned her son live on air following the crash. 

In spite of the condemnation from his family, Pusey has developed a fan base of sorts who created a Facebook group in his honour.

Senior Constable Kevin King (pictured, far left), Constable Glen Humphris (second from left), Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor (second from right) and and Constable Josh Prestney (far right) all died in the crash last Wednesday night

Bajwa will face court on Monday charged with four counts of culpable driving – the most serious traffic offence in the state of Victoria

The family of Senior Constable King released a statement on Monday honouring the ‘kind-hearted softie’ without referencing Pusey or Mohinder Singh Bajwa, the driver of the truck.

Bajwa has been charged with four counts of culpable driving. Police allege they found an ice pipe in a cabin in his truck, and further paraphernalia upon a search of his Cranbourne home. 

Instead, Mr King’s wife, Sharron McKenzie, and three sons, William, James and Henry, reflected on his ‘daggy dad jokes’, specialty pasta dishes and tradition of watching footy games as a family.

Senior Constable Kevin King (left) has been remembered by his partner, Sharron (second left) Henry (centre), William (second right) and James (right)

‘[Kevin] loved going to work,’ Ms McKenzie, said in a statement. ‘It was his home away from home.’

‘He was a caring, considerate, gentle and kind-hearted person. A big softie who would do anything for absolutely anyone. He’d always be there.’  

Mr King was part of a ‘close-knit family’ who are reeling in the wake of the tragedy.

‘This is such a devastating shock for all of us. Our hearts are so broken,’ Ms McKenzie said. ‘From the perspective of being Kevin’s partner, my heart is in pieces; I’m totally devastated. My beautiful man, my life, my rock and my only love for 35 years is gone.

‘Life will never be the same.’ 

Emergency services arrived at the scene of the crash on Wednesday to free the wrecked cars

Four slain police officers remembered  

 Constable Josh Prestney

Constable Prestney, 28, only graduated from the academy in November when he was killed, having joined the force in May 2019.

‘Josh was a much loved and respected member of his squad,’ his obituary read.

‘His brother, First Constable Alexander Prestney, is also a police officer and presented Josh with his badge when he graduated in December last year.’

‘In his spare time Josh enjoyed keeping fit and trained for and competed in triathlons. He is survived by his parents Andrew and Belinda, and his brother, First Constable Alex Prestney.’

Constable Prestney completed a Bachelor in creative industries at the Australian College of the Arts before joining and was stationed at Boroondara.

Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor

Senior Constable Taylor, 60, had a distinguished 31-year career with Victoria Police, joining in January 1989 and graduating in May of that year.

She was recognised by the Chief Commissioner for good work while performing duties at the traffic camera office.

She also earned the National Medal first clasp, National Police Service medal and the Victoria Police Service medal fourth clasp.

Senior Constable Taylor is survived by her husband, a former Victoria Police officer, Stuart Schultz and their two sons, Nathan and Alexander.

‘Having travelled the world, Lynette is remembered for having a great sense of adventure and has instilled this spirit in her children,’ her obituary read.

‘She spent a year sailing around the South Pacific on a yacht, which she continued to live on for a period when she returned.

‘Lynette and her husband Stuart were building their dream retirement home overlooking Bass Strait on Victoria’s south east coast, which would support their passion for travel and fishing.’

Lynette was the primary carer for her sister who had recently suffered a stroke, and this reflected her caring nature, which extended to those she worked with.

‘Lynette had a reputation of going into bat for others and challenging decisions that she believed were unfair.

‘She had a great sense of humour and her colleagues will fondly remember seeing her smiling face every day.’

Constable Glen Humphris

Constable Humphris also only started his police career last year, graduating in March.

Born in Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast, he left school and became an apprentice carpenter and then a personal trainer.

He completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at University of Newcastle and obtained Masters in Exercise Physiology at the University of Sydney, becoming a sports scientist and exercise physiologist.

While working for Return to Work in Newcastle he met his partner of four years, Todd, and they moved to Melbourne last year.

‘He enjoyed the food and bar lifestyle of Melbourne and he continued to have a passion for exercise, competing in triathlons and maintaining a high level of fitness,’ his obituary read.

‘His squad mates said he genuinely wanted to help people, had a great sense of community and genuine empathy for everyone – victim and offender alike.

‘Glen is remembered as being very level-headed, caring and supportive with a great sense of humour and had the ability to make light of any situation to calm people.’

Senior Constable Kevin King

Senior Constable King was with Victoria Police for six years, working at several stations in and around Melbourne before joining the Nunawading Highway patrol in April 2019.

‘Kevin was passionate about road policing and knew that it was not just about giving out tickets,’ his obituary read.

He transferred to the Nunawading Highway Patrol in 2018 where the officer in charge described him as ‘an older head with a lot of life experience who always made good judgement calls and decisions’.

‘He was a terrific bloke. A lovely, all round good bloke who took to road policing immediately. He would do anything in his power to not let you down,’ it continued.

‘He always just wanted to laugh, have a good time, and talk about footy. It’s just devastating to lose a bloke like that.’

The 50-year-old father-of-three was well liked, well respected and well regarded by his colleagues, police said.

‘He had a great sense of humour, loved coming to work, and he loved what he did.

Senior Constable King is survived by his wife Sharron Mackenzie, and their three children, William, James and Henry.

Source: Daily Mail australia

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