Coach jailed over horror DUI crash
A REPEAT drink-driver who smashed his car into a tree while doing twice the speed limit, leaving his passenger with severe brain injuries will spend three months behind bars.
Rugby coach Benjamin Onions, 24, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to dangerous driving causing serious harm, drink-driving and driving while disqualified following the horror crash on January 13.
The court heard Onions had a blood-alcohol content of 0.13 and was travelling at 160km/h in an 80km/h zone when he totalled the car, having already been banned from the road after a previous drink-driving offence.
The court heard Onions, a former soldier, was an “accomplished” sportsman who coached rugby at his former school in NSW and went into a “downward spiral” following a breakup in 2017.
In sentencing, Justice Anthony Graham said the other man “suffered extremely serious injuries” as a result of the crash and said his prognosis was “not good”.
“He himself says that he is likely to need lifelong care,” he said.
“He now lives with his parents, he does not work, he has frequent if not daily rehabilitation and his future prognosis is at present clouded.”
Justice Graham said Onions’ three drink-driving convictions showed he “at least in the past, had shown little or no regard for the law of the land”.
A number of references submitted to the court on Onions’ behalf described him as remorseful and trying to “turn his life around”, which Justice Graham accepted.
“However, it has to be said this is cold comfort to the victim,” he said.
“His life has been severely affected by the accident. His prognosis at the very best is guarded and even if he was to make a reasonably full recovery, which seems unlikely, he has suffered severe injuries.”
Justice Graham said while Onions described the victim as a “friend” it was likely they had only met on the night of the crash while drinking together at a bar.
In setting a total sentence ce of 18 months’ jail, suspended ed after three months, Justice ce Graham said general deterrrence was the most important nt sentencing factor.
“The community has to be aware that there are serious us consequences if one drives es dangerously and seriously y hurts someone,” he said.
“In this case, the offender was not just driving without a licence but driving while dis- qualified.
“This is the third time he e has been caught driving while drinking.”
Onions was again disqualified from driving for 12 months.