Driver who reversed over sign and sped away ordered to pay more than $4k

An early morning McDonald’s run ended in a costly court date after a learner driver crashed into an expensive sign before driving away.

AN EARLY morning McDonald’s run ended in a costly court date after a learner driver crashed into an expensive sign before driving away.

Douglas Frederick Henry Richards-Tranby, 23, was caught on CCTV making his way through the McDonald’s drive-through on the corner of Hanran and Ogden Streets at 3am on November 21.

He then reversed a white Toyota dual cab four to five metres, before mounting a concrete kerb.

The impact did not stop Richards-Tranby, with Police Prosecutor Mark Fenlon telling the Townsville Magistrates Court that he reversed two more metres before running over a large informational sign.

Mr Fenlon said the impact knocked the sign over, but Richards-Tranby then drove over it before reversing over the sign again and driving out on to Hanran St.

He told the court Richards-Tranby was “aware” of the crash but had failed to stop and report the incident.

After reviewing the CCTV footage, police spoke with Richards-Tranby and found he had been driving a rental car at the time.

A check on his licence revealed he had been disqualified from driving from September 16, 2021 to March 15, 2022.

Richards-Tranby admitted he had reversed and lost control of the car, but had no reason as to why he didn’t report the crash.

“He said he wasn’t aware he had to report,” Mr Fenlon said.

Richards-Tranby was charged with driver to have proper control of a vehicle, driving without a licence disqualified by a court order and fail to comply with duties of driver involved in a crash and give required particulars to the owner of property damaged.

The court heard $4345 restitution was sought by McDonald’s for the damaged sign.

Magistrate Ross Mack asked Richards-Tranby’s lawyer why their client would be so hungry at 3am.

“Maybe he missed his dinner,” the lawyer said.

Richards-Tranby was fined $400, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay $4345 restitution to McDonalds.

Originally published as Driver who reversed over sign and sped away ordered to pay more than $4k