Truckie flags licence appeal: court

A truck driver charged with failing to provide a blood sample after a crash that killed sports journalist Sam Landsberger has flagged he plans to ask a court to lift his drivers licence suspension.
James Latchford, 45, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday where his lawyer Michael Pena-Rees said the Seaford man was intending to appeal an immediate disqualification issued by police at the scene.

“There is a provision within the legislation to appeal,” he said, requesting the case be adjourned.

The court was told the charge, if proven, carries a mandatory two-year suspension.

A three-week adjournment was granted by magistrate Stephanie Keogh-Barnes, and Mr Latchford will return to court on October 15.

Mr Landsberger, an award-winning Herald Sun AFL and cricket reporter, was walking to meet a friend when he was struck by a truck at the intersection of Bridge Rd and Church St in Richmond on August 20.

The 35-year-old, who was on the phone with his mother at the time, later died at The Alfred hospital.

Mr Latchford was charged with one count of failing to provide a blood sample after refusing a request by police.

At the time, Victoria Police said Mr Latchford had passed both drug and alcohol roadside tests.

“He was requested by Melbourne Highway Patrol officers to provide a blood sample as per standard procedure under the Road Safety Act being a driver involved in a serious collision,” a spokesman said.

Police are continuing to investigate Mr Landsberger’s death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Hundreds of mourners from the sporting and media world joined Mr Landsberger’s family at a funeral service at the Temple Beth Israel synagogue on August 26.

His parents, Jake and Anne, remembered their youngest child and only son as a “caring and wonderful” person who would be deeply missed.

“Approximately 22 years ago our family stood in this same spot in this wonderful big hall celebrating Sam’s bar mitzvah, now we find ourselves in this exact hall in utter and complete devastation,” Dr Landsberger said.

Mr Latchford declined to comment on the case as he left court alongside his father.