{"id":339278,"date":"2023-10-25T13:09:42","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T03:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=339278"},"modified":"2023-10-25T18:34:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T08:34:35","slug":"crash-thief-stays-in-jail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/10\/25\/crash-thief-stays-in-jail\/","title":{"rendered":"Crash Thief Stays In Jail"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 25, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

A driver who fled the scene of a serious crash in a stolen car at Lower Wonga last year won’t serve any more jail time despite failing to help an injured driver.<\/p>\n

Luke Russell Harvey, 38, of Caloundra, is already serving three years\u2019 jail after pleading guilty to a string of charges earlier this year, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, break-and-entering and wilful damage.<\/p>\n

He is eligible for parole next June.<\/p>\n

The head-on crash, between a ute and a Jeep, occurred on the Wide Bay Highway between Hayes Road and the Lower Wonga Hall in March last year.<\/p>\n

Harvey was the driver of one of the vehicles; the other driver was trapped in the wreckage.<\/p>\n

About 4:50am, a passing motorist\u00a0stopped to help but Harvey jumped into the good samaritan’s vehicle and drove off.<\/p>\n

The stolen white Ford Falcon sedan was later located in Morayfield.<\/p>\n

Gympie Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday that Harvey fled the scene rather than helping the other injured driver.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He pleaded guilty via videolink to failing to remain at the scene and render assistance.<\/p>\n

Magistrate Bevan Hughes sentenced Harvey to one month’s jail, to be served concurrently with his previous sentence.<\/p>\n