A sunny Saturday morning bike ride on a popular mountain road turned catastrophic for a Brisbane father when a motorcyclist travelling more than double the speed limit fatally struck him.
Nicholas James Raftopoulos, 32, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court on Friday to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while excessively speeding.
Raftopoulos switched on his GoPro mounted camera and sped off on his motorbike around the twists and turns of Brisbane's Mount Coot-Tha about 10.30am on August 5, 2023.
Footage played to Judge Leanne Clare during sentencing captured Raftopoulos riding along the winding road at speeds up to 109km/h.
But during the 90-second joy ride, Raftopoulos oversteered and crossed onto the other side of the road where James Heron, 65, had been enjoying his regular bike ride.
Raftopoulos hit the bicycle at a speed of at least 84km/h and Mr Heron was propelled into the air before landing in a gutter.
Mr Heron suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.
Judge Clare said the footage was "difficult to watch" and sobs could be heard from family members in the gallery.
Crown prosecutor Melissa Wilson said the dangerous driving was "premeditated and deliberate" with Raftopoulos holding no regard for the safety of others on the fateful day.
"This was a senseless and preventable death," she said.
Raftopoulos suffered a permanent injury during the crash, losing the ability to move his shoulder or elbow after the nerves were ripped from his spinal cord.
Defence barrister Gavin Webber said this disability affected Raftopoulos' ability to work in carpentry or drive and required assistance with daily tasks.
While wearing a sling on his damaged arm, Raftopoulos told Judge Clare he took full responsibility for his "reckless" actions.
"There are no words that adequately convey the depth of regret for the pain and suffering I have caused to family and friends," he said.
"I wish I could turn back time and make different choices, but since I cannot, I will live with the burden of my actions for the rest of my life."
Judge Clare said Mr Heron did not stand a chance due to Raftopoulos' 90 seconds of thrill-seeking which changed everything for the victim's family.
"You are not a bad person but your conduct on this day was shocking," she said during sentencing on Friday.
"You were in control of a motorbike, a potential killer, and when you rode it that is exactly what it became."
Judge Clare said Raftopoulos treated the narrow and winding road "like a speedway" in an area popular with cyclists, joggers and families.
She said his injuries would now serve as a permanent reminder of the "dangerous stupidity" that claimed Mr Heron's life.
Raftopoulos blinked back tears as he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment to be suspended after eight months in custody.
He was disqualified from driving or obtaining a licence for three years.
