Jail sentence imposed for dangerous driving

A 26-year-old Sydney man responsible for a car crash that seriously injured five people in July 2015 has received a provincial jail sentence.

Tyler Anthony MacNeil received the sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of uttering threats, two counts of breaching court orders and single counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, mischief and assault. The threats, breaches, assault and mischief occurred in November 2016.

The 2015 accident occurred on Hornes Road, Mira Gut, shortly before midnight. MacNeil was driving a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer and accompanied by four passengers.

Prosecutor Glen Gouthro told the court that seconds prior to the crash, MacNeil was travelling at a speed of 143.8 km per hour as he attempted to navigate a very sharp turn. The posted speed limit on the road is 70 km. The speed data was retrieved from the vehicle’s onboard computer system.

Gouthro said MacNeil lost control of the vehicle which then overturned. Three female passengers were airlifted to Halifax while the others were treated locally. One of the victims needed to be extracted from the vehicle by the Jaws of Life.

Gouthro said the injuries were serious and extensive and that one passenger is left with permanent damage and continues to undergo treatment for leg and hip problems.

He said there was some evidence suggesting MacNeil’s passengers had asked him to slow down prior to the crash.

MacNeil and his passengers were returning to Sydney from the Mira Gut beach at the time of the accident.

On all the charges, MacNeil was given a total sentence of 13 months and was also credited for nine months and three weeks spent on remand.

He is also to complete a twoyear probation period and is banned for 10 years from possessing firearms.

He is to supply a DNA sample to the national registry and is prohibited from driving for five years.