Driver charged over the death of Jason Lowndes

The woman driving the car that struck deceased Australian professional cyclist Jason Lowndes has been charged by police in relation to his death.

File image of Jason Lowndes Source: Cycling Australia

Australian professional rider Jason Lowndes was killed on December 22 after he was struck from behind by a motorist at Mandurang, Victoria while training for the 2018 season.

The 23-year-old, who was set to ride with UK outfit JLT Condor in 2018 after spending the 2017 season with the Israel Cycling Academy, was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital from the scene but later died.

Police said at the time that he was hit at 10:15am by a Mazda sedan being driven by a 20-year-old Kangaroo Flat woman, Billie Rodda, who stopped at the scene and was later taken to a local hospital. 

Rodda has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, careless driving and using a mobile phone while driving. She was released on bail but will return to court in Bendigo on August 22.

The death prompted an outpouring of emotion for the well-liked member of the cycling community from Bendigo locals and cyclists around Australia and the world.