Overview

• Brett Michael Russell, 63, admitted 12 charges in the County Court of Victoria, including 10 counts of negligently causing serious injury.
• One additional charge concerns reckless conduct endangering serious injury to three roadside workers near the crash site.
• Prosecutors told the court the prime mover and both trailers had defective brakes and that Russell acknowledged he took the risk of driving anyway.
• The crash occurred about 3:16am on September 21, 2022, when his B-double rear-ended a Loreto College Ballarat bus on the Western Freeway, forcing it through a barrier and down a steep embankment.
• Victims detailed life-changing injuries and ongoing trauma during a pre-sentence hearing, which continues as Russell remains in custody and awaits sentencing.