A South Australian driver has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after fatally striking a cyclist, John Dennis, 72, in October 2023. Shannon Turner, 32, appeared in court on Tuesday, where prosecutors alleged he unlocked his mobile phone 55 times in the moments leading up to the collision.
According to 7News, the prosecution stated that Turner had allegedly used Google, scrolled through social media, and engaged in online shopping on his phone. Specific app usage cited includes opening Snapchat 48 times and Instagram 13 times. Prosecutors also claim he took photos while driving, viewed videos, and shopped for electronic accessories. The prosecutor described the alleged mobile phone use as "sustained, flagrant, prolific and shocking," and not an isolated incident.
The fatal crash occurred near Port Pirie, approximately 220 kilometers north of Adelaide. Mr. Dennis, a grandfather, was part of a cycling group and died at the scene just before his 50th wedding anniversary. Turner was uninjured, though his vehicle sustained damage to its windshield, bonnet, and front bumper.
Evidence presented in court suggested Turner's vehicle did not brake before impact, and he did not take evasive action or maintain a safe distance from the cyclists when passing at 110 km/h. Turner has entered a guilty plea to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
During the court appearance, Turner read a letter of apology. Mr. Dennis's wife, Julie, who was present in the gallery, told reporters that the "hurt, the loneliness, the emptiness doesn't go away, the loss inflicted upon us will remain." The apology letter did not specifically address the alleged phone use.
Turner is scheduled to be sentenced at the end of the month.