Fatal crash driver fined
THE driver of a ute involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist last year has faced court after it was found he was drink driving at the time.
However, the court was told that while Toowoomba man Benjamin Garth Lesley Slaughter was above the legal alcohol limit at the time, there was “insufficient evidence” that he was responsible for the crash that claimed the life of a 30-year-old Withcott man.
On the afternoon of June 6, 2021 the 26-year-old was at his home in Newtown packing his belongings before moving in with his girlfriend, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told.
Between about 3pm and 4.30pm Slaughter drank three beers. At about 4.15pm he got behind the wheel of his Holden Commodore ute, police prosecutor Anita Page said.
Slaughter was travelling along Gladstone St when he stopped at the intersection with Bridge St.
Ms Page said after stopping to give way, Slaughter turned right, but as he did so a motorcycle travelling at speed in an easterly direction along Bridge St collided with the right side of his vehicle.
“Unfortunately there were tragic circumstances in this case, and rider of the motorcycle sustain critical lifethreatening injuries and he died in (Toowoomba) hospital a short time later,” Ms Page said.
The court was told Slaughter admitted to drinking before hand, with a breath alcohol analysis returning a reading of 0.075.
The crash was the subject of an investigation by the Forensic Crash Unit, which concluded there was “insufficient evidence to proceed with any charges pertaining to the traffic crash”.
In court on Tuesday Slaughter pleaded guilty to driving while over the general alcohol limit.
Slaughter’s solicitor John Davis said his client was “very sorry for his part in all of this”, and that he has felt extreme remorse for the crash.
Mr Davis said his client had fully co-operated with investigations into the crash.
“The culpability of what he has been charged with and what he’s being sentenced on is the fact that he was over the limit, and nothing more,” Mr Davis submitted.
Acting magistrate Lisa O’Neill said the circumstances of the crash highlighted the need for compliance with road rules. Slaughter was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for two months, with no convictions recorded.