THE CRASH
On 7 January 2013, a Ford Territory SUV struck Ryan Meuleman in Blairgowrie on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Daniel and Catherine Andrews have maintained that Catherine was driving. The identity of the driver is central to the dispute, and is one of the issues raised by the subsequent handling of the scene (see below). Ryan’s account is that he was struck by the front of the SUV while crossing Ridley Street. He was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Disputed accounts and public statements
Blaming the victim
In sworn statements to police, Daniel and Catherine Andrews stated that Ryan collided with the side of their vehicle. Ryan disputes this account.
Vehicle photographs (FOI)
Photographs of the vehicle that later became public are presented as showing front-end damage, including a smashed windscreen, and not the side-impact damage described in the Andrews account. The images are cited by Ryan’s team and in an expert report by Dr Raymond Shuey as being consistent with Ryan being struck by the vehicle and thrown onto the bonnet/windscreen.
images of The Damaged s.u.v.
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POLICE - Initial allocation and response
The page states that a highway patrol unit with three senior police officers was initially allocated but later stood down, and that two lower-ranked officers — Constable Daniel Ward and Senior Constable Shayna Sage — from South Rye Police Station attended instead.
Scene actions (protocol issues raised)
The record raises multiple departures from standard procedure, including:
- the driver not being verified at the scene;
- no breath testing of Daniel or Catherine Andrews;
- the damaged vehicle being driven away before inspection;
- no Major Collision Investigation Unit attendance;
- limited (or no) contemporaneous measurements, scene photographs, or witness interviews.
Internal review outcome (as stated)
The page further states the attending officers were later reviewed and cleared, and later promoted, despite the above issues and contested reporting.
RELATED CIVIL PROCEEDINGS REFERENCED ON THIS SITE
Initial Settlement
The page states Ryan initially received a small insurance outcome, and later pursued civil action against Slater & Gordon concerning the earlier handling of his matter, with a finding in his favour.
Slater & Gordon matter (2025)
This site records that Ryan Meuleman commenced civil proceedings against Slater & Gordon Lawyers in relation to the handling of his earlier compensation claim arising from the crash. The matter was resolved by settlement in Ryan Meuleman’s favour. The settlement occurred without any admission of liability and brought those proceedings to a close.
Defamation proceedings (2025-2026)
This site further records that Ryan Meuleman commenced defamation proceedings against Daniel and Catherine Andrews in December 2025, with the matter listed in the Federal Court of Australia. Related civil proceedings referenced on this site.