Drug crash a ‘graphic’ example

A MAN who was “flung” from his motorcycle in a crash involving an ambulance is a graphic example of the risk of drug and drink driving, a magistrate has said.

Rhyan James Garwood, who has been confined to a wheelchair since an eightmonth stint in hospital, was convicted of drug driving.

Garwood was sentenced in Launceston Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to one count of stealing, two of driving an unregistered vehicle, two of drug driving, four of driving unlicensed and two of driving uninsured.

The court heard Garwood’s motorcycle and an ambulance travelling to an emergency collided in Moonah on December 26, 2018.

Garwood was “flung off his motorcycle” and knocked unconscious.

He was treated at the scene by the paramedics, who were unable to attend the emergency they were travelling to.

Blood tests showed Garwood had traces of Ice, MDMA and THC in his blood at the time of the crash.

Defence lawyer Mark Doyle said the crash and the physical toll of it had been profound and life changing.

Magistrate Stanton said the risk in Garwood’s driving offences was demonstrated “most graphically by the effect on him”.

He said he did not need to do anything but impose the minimum penalty.

Magistrates Stanton convicted and fined Garwood $672 and disqualified him from driving for six months backdated to 2018 over the driving offences.

Garwood was also convicted and fined $500 for stealing two rings from the mother of his first child.