Harvey man fined for crashing into motorcyclist, breaking their pelvis

A Harvey farm worker has been fined he crashed into a motorcyclist — breaking their pelvis in several places — while driving “without due care and attention” on the well-lit road.

Kevin Andreas Simanjuntak, 23, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday and through a translator pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing grievous bodily harm.

The charge stemmed from an incident on November 18, 2023 when at about 9.30pm, Simanjuntak was driving northbound on The Boulevard in Treendale in a red Holden Barina.

Simanjuntak had indicated to turn right on to Constellation Drive and slipped into the right turning lane.

Heading southbound on The Boulevard was a black motorcycle, which the court was told Simanjuntak saw approaching.

Despite hesitating before turning right, Simanjuntak turned onto Constellation Drive, hitting the motorcyclist who could not avoid the Barina, the court heard.

The motorcyclist was flung from his bike and hit the road, breaking his pelvis in several areas and was sent to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.

Simanjuntak was on his way home to Harvey after visiting a friend in Australind and admitted the area was well-lit.

He also admitted to seeing the black motorcycle approaching.

Simanjuntak moved to WA from Indonesia a year-and-a-half ago, and has both an Indonesian and WA driver’s licence.

He is employed at a farm in Harvey and his employer said he had good character.

Because of the early plea of guilty, Simanjuntak was given a 25 per cent discount and with no previous criminal record, he was also granted a spent conviction.

Magistrate Joanne Andretich said the matter was serious, with the damage done “fairly substantial”.

She noted Constellation Drive was a well-lit and typically quiet street, meaning Simanjuntak drove “without due care and attention”.

He escaped the maximum fine of $36,000 and was instead fined $4000.

Simanjuntak’s was banned for driving for three months.