Drunk crash no surprise

Magistrate says driver lucky victim not badly hurt

AN Ocean Grove man badly injured himself in a car crash on the Bellarine Peninsula, but should count himself lucky he did not hurt others as much, a magistrate told him yesterday.

Dane Wise-Graham, 26, recorded a blood-alcohol content of 0.244 after being taken to hospital with injuries from the crash at Moolap in March last year.

Wise-Graham spent a week in hospital, was unable to read or write for three months because of his injuries and has not worked or driven in the 16 months since, the Geelong Magistrates’ Court was told.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan heard the driver slammed his car into the rear of a vehicle at the intersection of Moolap Station and Portarlington roads.

“Surprise, surprise. Driving with a reading of 0.244 and you have an accident,” Mr Coghlan said.

Prosecutor Sergeant Glenn Abbott said the defendant’s car hit the other with such force both vehicles were thrown across the intersection and extensively damaged.

Lawyer Richard Concha said Wise-Graham’s injuries and the loss of his car should be taken into account in sentencing him on counts of careless and drink driving.

“You keep talking about his injuries. If he had caused the same injuries to the other driver I’d put him in jail, and he might even be in the County Court,” Mr Coghlan said.

“You put all other road users at risk. At least the significant injuries were suffered, on this occasion, not by the victim . . . but by you.”

Mr Coghlan ordered WiseGraham’s driving licence be cancelled and disqualified for 2½ years. He also imposed $2500 of fines on the man.