Tyson Tripp, 38, jailed after causing near-fatal injuries to Bobby-Ray Milne, 27, in high-speed crash at Salisbury South
A methed-up drunk has been jailed after T-boning an award-winning health specialist at 154km/h – leaving his victim with life-altering brain injuries.
An award-winning optometrist never “stood a chance” when he was T-boned by a methed-up drunk driver speeding along a suburban street at 154km/h, a court has heard.
Tyson Eric Tripp, 38, was sentenced in the District Court on Monday after pleading guilty to aggravated causing serious harm by dangerous driving.
Tripp, of Salisbury Downs, was arrested in June 2024 after his station wagon collided at Salisbury South with a Commodore carrying young father Bobby-Ray Milne, 27 – who was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries before spending three weeks in the ICU.
Judge Anthony Allen said Tripp – whose blood-alcohol concentration was estimated to be upwards of 0.140 – had initially denied being behind the wheel.
Bystanders who rendered assistance at the scene, Judge Allen noted, had observed a smell of alcohol after pulling Tripp out of his car.
“The injuries suffered by your victim were horrific,” he said.
“You have no recollection of the collision or its prelude. It is clear you made a decision to drink, take drugs and, in that state, drive at an outrageous speed. I accept that you are extremely sorry for your actions on the night in question, but all of the sorrow does not change the fact that you are responsible for irretrievably, adversely affecting your victim’s life.
“This is not a case of being cautious – or momentary bad driving. Having consumed too much liquor and taken drugs, the minute you put the keys into the ignition the public were exposed to an unacceptable risk – which sadly manifested itself in the catastrophic, life-changing injuries of your victim.”
Fewer than two weeks before the crash on Kings Rd, Mr Milne – an Aboriginal health practitioner – received an award for outstanding leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.
His mother Jodie Milne told the court her son was an “inspiration” to his community in Ceduna, but never got the chance to bring the award back to them.
In a victim impact statement read to the court in October, Mr Milne revealed how he suffered a brain injury – as well as a broken pelvis, shoulder blade and ribs, and internal bleeding.
He was admitted to the brain rehabilitation unit at the Repatriation Hospital, where the court heard he required “intensive” therapy in order to relearn “the most basic skills of life”.
“I can’t remember some key life events from before the injury, such as details of my relationship with my ex-partner and my daughters … I don’t remember what my life goals were or where I was heading,” he said.
Judge Allen sentenced Tripp – who the court heard had a prior conviction for drug driving – to five years, six months and ten days’ jail, three years and three months non-parole.
The gravity of the offending, Judge Allen remarked, was “simply too serious to suspend”.
Tripp was also disqualified from holding a licence for 15 years.
Outside court, Mr Milne said he needed “a few days” to process the sentence, but wouldn’t rule out forgiving Tripp for his near-fatal decision to drive.
“I’ve learnt that forgiveness is not for the other person, it’s for you – so you don’t devour yourself from hatred, and anger, and fear,” Mr Milne said.
“One of the issues that can come along from having an accident is that you’re the one who’s going to end up causing more harm to yourself, and that’s why I think it is a thing to forgive.”
