A night out turned deadly when a bike incident escalated into a revenge hit-and-run, leaving one dead and several injured in Ingleby Barwick
Ingleby Barwick: It all started on a Friday night when a group of friends was heading home after a fun evening at the 3 Rivers bar. Suddenly, Shaun Breeze, 30, came barreling through on his bike, and things took a dark turn.
After a brief chase by three men, Breeze crashed into another pedestrian and took off on foot. He called his dad, Martin, who jumped in his van and drove to the scene, where he made a shocking decision.
Martin, 57, mounted a grass verge and intentionally ran down the group of friends on the footpath. The chaos left one victim, Brian Darby, tragically dead, while others suffered serious injuries.
Brian, a beloved grandad, was carried on the front of the van before falling onto the road. The whole community was shaken by this senseless act of violence.
As the news spread, the usually quiet neighborhood was filled with police tape and investigators. Residents woke up to find their street transformed into a crime scene, with many expressing disbelief over the events that unfolded.
By the time the sun rose, police had launched a murder investigation, confirming the death of Mr. Darby. The community was left in shock, especially since this incident followed another unrelated investigation nearby.
Tributes poured in for Brian, and the road was closed for hours as police gathered evidence. It was a tough time for everyone, and the emotional toll was heavy.
Days later, the Breezes were arrested and charged, leading to a trial that revealed the horrifying details of that night. Shaun had been looking for drugs when he nearly hit someone, which sparked the altercation.
In court, it was revealed that Shaun had encouraged his dad to target the group, leading to the tragic hit-and-run. The aftermath left many victims with lasting physical and emotional scars.
Brian’s family expressed their deep sadness, while other victims shared their struggles with trauma and anxiety. The sentences handed down to the Breezes—32 years for Martin and 16 years for Shaun—were a small step toward justice.
As the community tries to heal, they hope this tragic chapter will come to a close, allowing them to move forward from the pain of that fateful night.
