Driver who broke leg in crash sentenced

A driver who crashed into another car had to wait three weeks in prison for antibiotics and almost lost his leg after his injury from the collision became infected, his lawyer said.

Corey Ray Campbell yesterday appeared before Judge John BrandtsGiesen in the Invercargill District Court on five charges of driving while disqualified, failing to give a blood specimen, operating a vehicle causing injury, sustained loss of traction, possession of cannabis, possession of two Tasers and breach of bail.

In submissions yesterday, Campbell’s lawyer Keith Owen said his client had crashed into another vehicle but did not have any recollection of the incident.

Campbell believed he had fallen asleep and said he had not been drinking or taken drugs.

He had broken his leg as a result and had been in custody since that time.

While on remand in prison, Campbell’s leg became infected.

‘‘It took the prison three weeks to get antibiotics to him. He almost lost his leg,’’ Mr Owen said.

He asked Campbell be sentenced to home detention so that he could get ready access to ongoing medical treatment.

In sentencing, Judge BrandtsGiesen said Campbell was driving in a 100kmh zone when he crossed the centre line and collided with another vehicle.

Campbell’s vehicle veered to the left and crashed through a fence before coming to a stop in a paddock.

Campbell broke his leg and the victim in the other car received bruising to their hips and legs, as well as cuts and grazes.

Judge BrandtsGiesen said Campbell had 11 pages of previous convictions which reflected his attitude towards fellow human beings.

‘‘It doesn’t show you up in a terribly good light.’’

While Campbell had no recollection of the crash, Judge BrandtsGiesen said the court could not be sure whether alcohol was a factor in it as he had refused to give a blood specimen when he was taken to hospital.

Campbell also did not know the online purchase of two Tasers was illegal.

‘‘Why you would need a Taser unless you were farming buffalos — I don’t know.’’

Judge BrandtsGiesen sentenced Campbell to seven months’ one week home detention, disqualified him from driving for 18 months and ordered him to pay $3000 reparation.

He ordered destruction of the Taser, drugs and paraphernalia and remitted $4566.30 of outstanding fines.