‘Weak’ case against Kiwi-born diabetic driver thrown out by court

A diabetic driver who passed out from dwindling blood sugar levels and killed five people at a Victoria pub has had all charges against him struck out by a magistrate. The magistrate criticised prosecutors as he threw out their “weak” case against Kiwi-born William Swale, 66, who ploughed into and killed five people in a beer garden. All 14 charges against Swale were struck out after a three-day committal hearing in Ballarat Magistrates Court over the deadly November 2023 crash.

He had been facing five charges of culpable driving causing death, two of negligently causing serious injury and seven counts of engaging in reckless conduct by driving a motor vehicle with low blood glucose levels. His movements were captured on CCTV shortly before the crash..