Sailor faces charges in Aussie bicyclist death - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Sailor faces charges in Aussie bicyclist death

A sailor is facing military charges and a possible court-martial in the death of an Australian woman who died July 31, a week after she was struck by a military vehicle.

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class James Linabury was driving the vehicle July 24 when it collided with Narelle Dobinson, 60, at an intersection in Willowbank, a suburb of Brisbane and home to a Royal Australian air force base, according to Australian and Navy officials.

Linabury was participating in the U.S.-Australia exercise Talisman Sabre at the time. He was charged by Australian authorities Aug. 11 and appeared six days later in an Australian magistrate court.

U.S. and Australian authorities then agreed that since the incident happened while the sailor was on official duties, under the Status of Forces Agreement for U.S. military personnel, the Navy will investigate and handle any prosecution.

“I have been assured that if criminal wrongdoing is uncovered, the [petty] officer could face serious charges,” Australia Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said in an Aug. 17 statement announcing the decision.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into the incident, and the sailor’s command will determine whether to charge him in the incident. Navy officials said that alcohol wasn’t a factor in the crash and noted Linabury remained at the scene following the collision.

Linabury, who enlisted in 2008, is assigned to the Whidbey Island, Wash.-based Patrol Squadron 40, a P-3 Orion squadron he joined after completing initial aviation training, according to Navy Personnel Command records. Along with the Iraq Campaign Medal, his awards and decorations include the Navy “E” Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal.