‘Playing chicken’: Bobcat death a ‘tragic’ game

A road worker who killed his mate while “showing off” drunk in a Bobcat has been jailed for seven years.

Christopher Bell, 53, returned before the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of George Tereva, 34, by criminal negligence.

The court was told Bell had been drinking beers with three co-workers on the afternoon of September 7, 2022, after finishing work for the day.

After drinking four Coronas, he jumped behind the wheel of a work Bobcat, driving around in circles, spreading dirt and repeatedly accelerating towards and away from the group.

The court was told Mr Tereva called out; “I’m not going to move, you’re not going to do anything”, as their two colleagues moved out of the way.

The cheerful mood descended into tragedy as Bell accelerated towards Mr Tereva with the two front wheels off the ground and ran him over.

Mr Tereva was initially breathing and conscious, but his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died in hospital about two hours later.

Bell left the scene before emergency services arrived, saying; “I’m sorry … I panicked, I’ve got to go”, but he returned a couple of hours later and was tested as having a blood alcohol concentration twice the legal limit.

Handing down his sentence, Justice Christopher Beale said Bell gave police a “self-serving picture” but now admitted he told lies during his interview.

“Although you meant him no harm you were foolishly and tragically playing chicken with him,” he said.

“I accept this is a serious example of manslaughter by criminal negligence.”

A few months before the slaying, the court was told Bell had previously been charged with drink-driving.

“You were fully aware of the fact you should not be driving that bobcat whilst in an intoxicated state,” Justice Beale said.

Wearing a grey jumper and dark glasses, Bell kept his head down as details of the offending were read to the court.

Members of Mr Tereva’s family, including his mother, Pauline, and children were present for the sentence.

The court was told Bell continued to suffer nightmares of the incident in prison daily and remained in a state of distress.

Justice Beale found Bell’s ADHD and PTSD from traumatic experiences in childhood had contributed to his “impulsivity” in the offending.

Bell will be eligible for parole after serving four years and was disqualified from driving for five years.

Previously, his lawyer Angie Wong said her client may never choose to drive again.

“He is completely devastated and traumatised by what happened to the point he cannot see himself driving,” she said.

Outside court, Mr Tereva’s mother, Pauline Tereva, said the sentence was “expected”.

“It doesn’t matter how long the sentence would have been anyway … he’ll have to live with it the rest of his life he killed his mate. It doesn’t make it any easier for us,” she said.

“I just hope it serves as a warning to everyone else … being safe on the job.”

Ms Tereva said her son was the life of her family and “nothing is ever going to be the same again”.