Sydney Man Charged Over Fatal Road Incident Involving Solar Panel – February 18, 2025

Incident Overview
A Sydney man has been charged in connection with the death of 49-year-old Majharul Talukder, a Canberra motorist who tragically died after being struck by a dislodged solar panel on Burley Griffin Way near Galong in December last year. The incident occurred when the solar panel, which was allegedly being towed by the accused, became detached and penetrated the windscreen of Talukder’s vehicle, striking him in the head. Emergency services were unable to save him, and he died at the scene. A police investigation into the incident led to charges being filed against the driver responsible for towing the solar panel.

Location and Time
The fatal incident occurred on Burley Griffin Way at Galong, a rural stretch of road near Yass in New South Wales. The crash took place on December 8, 2024 , while Talukder was driving towards Yass.

Vehicles Involved
The incident involved two vehicles: a car driven by Majharul Talukder and a vehicle towing a portable power station equipped with a solar panel. Police allege that the solar panel became dislodged from the trailer being towed by the second vehicle and struck Talukder’s car. The impact caused the panel to penetrate the windscreen, fatally injuring Talukder.

Crash Description
Majharul Talukder, a 49-year-old University of Canberra Assistant Professor, was traveling along Burley Griffin Way when a solar panel allegedly detached from a portable power station being towed by an oncoming vehicle. The panel struck his vehicle, penetrating the windscreen and hitting him in the head. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Talukder succumbed to his injuries before they arrived.

Three female passengers in Talukder’s vehicle—a 48-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old girl—were uninjured but were taken to Canberra Hospital for treatment related to shock. The driver of the vehicle towing the portable power station, a 32-year-old man from Church Point, Sydney, was not injured but was taken to Harden Hospital for mandatory testing.

Injuries/Fatalities
Majharul Talukder tragically died at the scene after being struck by the dislodged solar panel. The three female passengers in his vehicle escaped physical injury but were treated for shock. The 32-year-old driver of the vehicle towing the solar panel was unharmed but underwent mandatory testing as part of the investigation.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, were dispatched to the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Despite their efforts, Talukder could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police secured the area and began their investigation, focusing on how the solar panel became dislodged and whether proper safety measures were followed during its transport.

Investigation
Police launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. On Monday, February 17, 2025, a 32-year-old man from Church Point, Sydney, was charged with unsafely driving a loaded trailer, causing death. The accused is scheduled to appear at Young Local Court on April 9, 2025. Investigators are examining factors such as whether the trailer was properly secured, whether the load was distributed safely, and whether the driver adhered to road safety regulations.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident or dashcam footage to come forward and assist with the inquiry.

Community Impact
The tragic death of Majharul Talukder has deeply affected the Canberra community, particularly his colleagues and students at the University of Canberra, where he served as an Assistant Professor. Friends and family have expressed their grief over the loss of a dedicated academic and loving family man.

The incident has also raised concerns about road safety, particularly regarding the secure transportation of large or heavy items like solar panels. Community members are calling for stricter enforcement of regulations governing the towing of trailers and the securing of loads to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Contributing Factors
While the investigation is ongoing, police allege that the improper securing of the solar panel on the trailer was a significant contributing factor to the crash. Other potential factors include speed, road conditions, or mechanical issues with the towing vehicle. Investigators are also examining whether environmental conditions, such as weather or lighting, played a role in the incident.