March 28, 2013
A driver who ran off the road and hit a tree near Goodger had taken three times his normal dose of the anti-anxiety drug oxazepam, smoked two joints of cannabis and drunk some beer, Kingaroy Magistrates Court was told today.
Joseph Andrew Coulton, who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.
Police Prosecutor Sgt Pepe Gangemi said the incident occurred on December 22 last year.
Coulton had been travelling south along Kingaroy-Cooyar Road when his vehicle left the road and hit a large tree.
“There was no sign of braking,” Sgt Gangemi said.
Coulton submitted to a blood test after the incident.
Sgt Gangemi said the THC reading indicated cannabis use immediately prior to the crash.
Magistrate Mark Bucknall said Coulton had not only placed his own welfare at risk but that of other road users and members of the public.
Coulton was fined $950 and disqualified from driving for nine months.
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Six charges – including threatening violence, dangerous conduct with a weapon and assault – against Booie man Curtis Dale Hayden have been adjourned to May 2.
Solicitor Dan Rogers, appearing by phone, sought the adjournment in Kingaroy Magistrates Court today to allow “case conferencing” of the charges with the prosecution and to seek final instructions from his client.
Hayden did not appear.
