🚨 STUNNING TURN in the Dan Andrews bike crash case
The former Victorian Premier has made an unexpected and highly unusual legal move as the fight intensifies with the teenager left critically injured in the collision. The timing — and the silence around it — are raising serious eyebrows.
What this move could mean for the case is leaving many stunned.
👉 FULL DETAILS BELOW 👇
SHOCK TWIST in the Dan Andrews Bicycle Crash Saga — Former Premier Makes Mysterious Move in Legal Battle with Critically Injured Teenager
Melbourne, Australia – January 8, 2026 – More than 13 years after a controversial collision that left teenage cyclist Ryan Meuleman with life-threatening injuries, former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has sparked fresh intrigue by failing to file a defence by the court deadline in a high-stakes defamation lawsuit brought against him and his wife Catherine.
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The mysterious non-response, reported just days ago, comes amid an escalating legal war stemming from the January 7, 2013, crash in the seaside town of Blairgowrie on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Then-15-year-old Ryan was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital with severe injuries, including a punctured lung, broken ribs, internal bleeding, and the loss of 90 per cent of his spleen.
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The Andrews family – Daniel (then opposition leader), Catherine (driving the Ford Territory SUV), and their three children – have always maintained innocence. They insist Catherine came to a complete stop before turning right, and Ryan “T-boned” the vehicle while cycling at speed on a shared path. Police investigations at the time cleared them of wrongdoing, though officers were later disciplined for failing to breath-test Catherine.
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Ryan, now 27, has long disputed this, claiming the SUV “came out of nowhere” at speed. A 2024 independent review by former police assistant commissioner Dr Raymond Shuey – commissioned during Ryan’s earlier lawsuit against his former lawyers Slater & Gordon – labelled the original police probe “deeply flawed” and suggested a possible “cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure.” The report questioned whether the vehicle truly stopped and highlighted inconsistencies, including tyre squeals heard by a witness.
In response, the Andrews issued a statement dismissing the review as based on “appalling conspiracy theories.” Ryan alleges this statement defamed him by implying he relied on a “specious” report for financial gain and used false claims in legal proceedings – sparking online abuse calling him a “grifter.”
He filed defamation proceedings in the Federal Court late last year. Andrews was required to lodge a defence by early January 2026 but missed the deadline, prompting speculation: Is this a tactical delay, an oversight, or a sign of settlement talks? Hypothetically, failing to defend could lead to a default judgment in Ryan’s favour, though extensions are common in such cases.
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The saga has haunted Andrews since the crash. Released audio of his triple-0 call – “We’ve hit him” – contrasted his later statements emphasizing the cyclist hit their car. Ryan settled with Slater & Gordon for a substantial undisclosed sum in 2025, alleging they pressured him into a low $80,000 TAC payout and NDA to protect the rising political star.
Recently, Ryan checked into a treatment centre for “psychological and other health issues,” underscoring the lasting trauma. His family continues pushing for a full criminal reinvestigation, preparing “new evidence” for Victoria Police.
Hypothetically, Andrews’ silence on the deadline might signal reluctance to relitigate details under oath, fearing contradictions from the triple-0 call, Shuey report, or witness accounts. Or it could be strategic, forcing Ryan to prove damages amid his health struggles.
The Andrews have denied defamation, rejecting a $50,000 settlement offer with an apology. As the case looms, Victoria watches: Will this “mysterious move” force Andrews back into the spotlight, or quietly resolve a 13-year feud?
In a story blending politics, tragedy, and accountability, Ryan’s fight persists – a teenager’s quest for truth against one of Australia’s most polarizing figures.
