Hunter Valley Wedding Bus Crash Driver Faces Upgraded Charges, Including Manslaughter
In a major development in the investigation into the tragic Hunter Valley wedding bus crash that claimed 10 lives in June 2023, the driver, Brett Andrew Button, has been hit with 26 new charges.
Brett Button has been charged with 10 counts of manslaughter, one for each person who died in the crash, and 16 counts of furious driving causing bodily harm related to his alleged actions behind the wheel in the moments leading up to the accident.”
These upgraded charges represent a significant escalation in the severity of the case against Button. Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment for each count. With his existing charges, Button now faces a potential total of 89 charges.
Despite the new charges, Button remains free on bail and is living with his family. However, his bail status could change when he appears in court on Wednesday to answer these new charges for the first time.
This development sends a strong message that authorities are taking the crash and its devastating consequences very seriously. The potential for lengthy prison sentences underscores the immense gravity of the charges Button now faces.