SA police wrap: More than 40 drivers busted for drugs and alcohol in RBT blitz| Driver lands drainage channel at Bolivar
Police say they are disappointed by the results of the first major RBT blitz on drugs and alcohol since checks were suspended due to coronavirus with more than 40 drivers busted doing the wrong thing.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rolling police news for the week beginning Sunday, May 17, 2020.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
POLICE DISAPPOINTED BY DRIVERS ON FIRST NIGHT BACK FOR RBTS
Police say they are disappointed with the results of the first random drug and alcohol testing in SA since RBTs were suspended due to COVID-19.
According to Assistant Commission of SA Police Ian Parrott, 41 drivers tested positive to alcohol and drugs in testing on Friday night.
More than 4000 alcotests were conducted and 14 people recorded positive results.
Six cars were impounded and nine drivers lost their licence on the spot.
A 30-year-old Kingscote man returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.205 – more than four times the legal limit.
More than 260 drug tests were conducted in the blitz and 27 people recorded positive results, meaning around 10 per cent of people tested had drugs in their system.
Police said the drink and drug operation was highly publicised which made the results all-the-more disappointing, Assistant Commissioner Parrot said.
“Forty one people made a deliberate, dangerous and selfish decision to get behind the wheel of a car knowing they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol”, he said.
“These people should be grateful they were stopped last night, they could have easily killed themselves or someone else on SA roads.”
There have been 45 lives lost on SA roads so far, compared to 47 at the same time last year.
MAN DRIVES INTO DRAINAGE CHANNEL
A man has been arrested for traffic offences after driving into the Bolivar drainage channel last night.
Patrols approached a silver Holden in the car park of a service station on Port Wakefield Rd at around 11.30pm on Friday.
As the patrol walked toward the car the driver drove off.
The car was not pursued due to wet weather.
Hours later police responded to reports of a car in a drainage channel behind a service station on Port Wakefield Rd.
Patrols located the car, but the only occupant was a small dog.
The wet, cold driver was found nearby.
The 30-year-old man from Port Adelaide was arrested and charged with numerous traffic offences and breaching bail.
He was refused police bail and will appear in court on Monday.
MAN ASSAULTED IN POORAKA
A man has suffered head injuries after he was assaulted in Pooraka last night.
Police were called to David St after reports of an assault just after 9pm Friday where they located a man with laceration injuries to the head.
The 22-year-old man was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and he has since been released.
Crime scene investigators believe the victim was assaulted by a number of men with weapons.
The incident is not believed to be random. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
POLICE SPEAK TO MAN ABOUT MORPHETT VALE MURDER
Major Crime Detectives have now spoken to a man they were trying to identify this morning as part of a continuing investigation into the Morphett Vale murder of a mum of three last month.
The body of the 35-year-old woman was found by police inside her Wangara Ave unit at Morphett Vale just after 12.30pm on April 16.
Multiple witnesses heard a woman cry for help and a man threaten to kill her but did not call triple-0 to raise the alarm, instead leaving the mother of three to die a “horrible, violent death”, police say.
A 38-year-old Beverley man has been charged him with murder, was refused bail and appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on April 17.
The man and woman were known to each other.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.
STABBING AT CRAIGMORE
Police are investigating a stabbing overnight at Craigmore.
Police and emergency services were called to a house in Washington Drive after reports a man had been stabbed in the back by a woman known to him just after 9pm Thursday.
Police say the victim was fighting another man at the time of the stabbing.
The suspect then fled the scene.
The victim was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.
The suspect remains on the run. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.
MOUNT BARKER HOUSE FIRE
Police are investigating a house fire in Mount Barker this morning and have detained the occupant for a mental health assessment.
Emergency services were called to reports of a house fire on Thiele Ave just before 8am today.
Fire crews contained the blaze which started in the bedroom however the house sustained significant damage.
Police detained the occupant, a 32-year-old Mount Barker woman, and took her to hospital for a mental health assessment. Fire cause investigators are attending the scene to determine the fire’s cause.
MORPHETT VALE MURDER INVESTIGATION
Major Crime Detectives are seeking assistance from the public to identify a person who could provide information to assist a murder investigation that occurred in Morphett Vale last month.
Police were called to Wangara Ave just after 12.30pm on Thursday, April 16 after the body of a 35-year-old woman was found inside a house.
Major Crime Investigators with Forensic Crime Scene Examiners attended the scene.
The woman’s death has been declared a major crime.
The incident is not considered random, and the suspect and woman are known to each other. Detectives have identified a person who could provide information into the murder.
A person boarded the 722 bus which left Colondaes at 8.53pm and travelled to Elizabeth Rd at Morphett Vale, getting off at the IGA shopping centre just before 9pm on Wednesday, April 15.
The person is not a suspect, but police would like to speak to them as they were on the bus at the same time as the sole suspect in the matter.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.
DRIVER CAUGHT 120KM/H OVER THE LIMIT
A speeding driver has been arrested after he was caught travelling more than 100km/h over the limit in Christie Downs.
Patrols first detected the motorist travelling 186km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Southern Expressway just before 10pm Wednesday.
The same Mercedes was later spotted travelling 205km/h in an 80km/h zone on the expressway.
The driver exited the expressway and slowed to normal speed.
When a patrol tried to pull the car over it sped off.
Patrols yesterday attended an Old Noarlunga home where the vehicle was being stored and arrested a 37-year-old man, who they say was the driver of the car.
The man was charged with speeding in a manner dangerous to the public, driving without a licence and disobeying the direction to stop.
Officers allegedly found drug paraphernalia and a substance, which they suspect is fantasy in the man’s possession.
He was further charged with possession of equipment for consumption of drugs and possession of a prohibited substance.
He was bailed to appear in Christies Beach Magistrates Court tomorrow.
The Mercedes was defected and impounded for 28 days.
Inspector Damien Eichner said: “The actions of this person are highly irresponsible and dramatically increase the risk of injury or death to the driver and other road users.”
DRIVER CRASHES INTO SHOPS
A drunk driver has crashed into a group of shops overnight causing the verandah to collapse at Kensington.
Police were called to the group of shops including a dry cleaner, clothes boutique and hair and beauty salon just after 7.30pm after reports a Mitsubishi had crashed into a post holding up the verandah.
The driver was breath tested by police, and he allegedly blew 0.114, more than two times over the legal blood alcohol limit.
No-one was injured in the crash.
A 39-year-old Gilles Plains man was reported for drink driving and issued a six month instant loss of licence.
He will appear in court at a later date.
Thursday, May 21
RBT STATIONS RETURN
Random breath testing stations will return to South Australian roads on Friday after they were shelved during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
SA Police are planning a major drink and drug driving blitz to coincide with their return.
The static testing stations were suspending in March amid fears officers faced a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19.
Random driver tests were still performed over the past two months by officers who continued to pullover individual motorists. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens announced the return of the RBT stations, saying the decision had been made following comprehensive consultation with SA Health and chief public health officer.
Officers will use personal protective equipment and a rigorous cleaning regime of testing equipment will continue. The announcement coincides with the staging of Operation Stop Drink Drug Driving tomorrow, a one-day traffic blitz aimed at keeping drink and drug drivers off our roads.
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott hoped Operation Stop Drink Drug Driving, combined with the resumption of static and block RBT stations, would keep motorists vigilant and responsible.
“If people have mistakenly used recent events as an excuse to become complacent behind the wheel, then it’s time to re-evaluate your decisions,” he said.
“Police have been out on a 24/7 basis throughout the duration of this global pandemic. Despite the circumstances, we still caught numerous drivers doing the wrong thing and we took them off our roads.
“We never stopped conducting mobile RBT operations (but) the resumption of static and block RBT operations means we’ll be able to test even more drivers who have potentially made poor decisions.
“Drink and/or drug driving is an incredibly selfish and irresponsible thing to do. Times have been tough lately, so don’t make things any tougher by making the wrong choice.”
FIRE AT ALDINGA GLASS WORKSHOP
A fire caused about $150,000 worth of damage at a glass workshop in Adelaide’s south on Thursday morning.
The fire broke out at a glass manufacturing business on Aldinga Beach Rd, Aldinga Beach just after 7am.
Flames were mostly contained to the back of the building, with some spreading through the roof.
An electrical fault in an office room is believed to have sparked the fire, but Fire Cause Investigators will examine the scene today.
A CFS spokeswoman said one volunteer firefighter twisted his knee while trying to fight the blaze.
The damage bill is estimated at $150,000.
TEEN ARRESTED IN STOLEN CAR
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with a string of offences after allegedly crashing a stolen ute through a roundabout at Regency Park this morning.
Officers spotted a white ute, which police believe was stolen from Murray Bridge last night, speeding on Regency Rd at Prospect about 1.40am.
The vehicle was not pursued because police deemed it to be too dangerous.
Authorities spotted the ute a short time later after the driver lost control at a roundabout on Naweena Rd and Aruma St.
He crashed into the kerb, causing extensive damage to the vehicle.
The 17-year-old, from Mannum, was arrested and taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with minor injuries.
The teen is expected to be charged with illegal use, theft of credit cards, carry offensive weapon, driving disqualified and dangerous driving.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
MASSAGE THERAPISTS CHARGED WITH COVID BREACHES
Four women have been arrested and charged for alleged breaches of COVID-19 directions.
Police say three women were working as massage therapists, breaching rules that relate to the closure of non-essential business.
The fourth woman was the business operator.
One of the women had previously been fined and directed to stop work on April 12.
Licensing enforcement officers attended the Croydon Park business after receiving complaints it was still operating at the address about 4pm on Monday,
The women, a 69-year-old from Croydon Park, a 50-year-old from Croydon Park, a 45-year-old from Ferryden Park and a 42-year-old from Blakeview, were arrested and charged with breaching an Emergency Management Act notice.
They were bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in July.
PARTYGOERS FINED FOR COVID BREACH
More than a dozen people have been fined $1000 each for breaching gathering restrictions.
Police headed to a Whyalla Norrie address about 8:45pm on Saturday over a noise complaint where they found a large group of people celebrating a birthday
Police found 13 people at the premises who were each fined $1000 fine for breaking COVID-19 restrictions for gatherings of more than 10 people.
Six men and seven women with ages ranging from 20 to 67 were fined.
Gatherings of more than 10 persons are prohibited in SA and the total number of people present in a gathering must not exceed one person per 4 sqm.
Earlier that day police had gone to the same street after reports of a large fight and found about 30-40 people.
Those people were told about COVID-19 gathering restrictions and directions.
LIGHTNING DESTROYS BAROSSA COTTAGE
A stone cottage in the Barossa Valley has been destroyed by a lightning strike.
The Country Fire Service said the home on Golden Gate Mines Rd in Angaston was hit by lightning just before 7pm on Tuesday.
The stone cottage then burst into flames, as 30 CFS volunteers rushed to the scene.
A CFS spokeswoman said the structure is still standing, but the inside has been gutted.
The damage bill is estimated at $250,000.
Neighbours reported a loud bang and a flash of light before the home went up in flames.
Homeowner Mark Grossman, told The Advertiser he’d lost virtually everything.
“I’m standing in the work clothes I had on yesterday,” he said.
No one was injured in the fire, but small flames reignited about 7am this morning. CFS crews are heading to the scene.
Lightning was just one aspect of the wild weather that struck parts of SA last night.
People’s gardens were also covered by ice after hail was dumped across a large swath of metro Adelaide – and we can expect more.
WOMAN ‘SPITS DRINK’ ON NURSE IN CBD
A woman is behind bars after she allegedly spat a drink on a nurse in Adelaide’s CBD on Tuesday morning.
The nurse, wearing blue scrubs, was walking on Hindley St near King William St just before 7.30am.
Police say a woman, 42, of no fixed address, then spat a drink over her.
DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT
A man has been arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase through the northern suburbs this morning.
The man, 30, of Davoren Park, was spotted driving a white Ford Laser around the Smithfield Plains area just before 3.30am.
Police say, on two separate occasions, the man turned the car’s lights off and drove on the wrong side of the road at Blakeview.
The car was seen again at Elizabeth Park a short time later, as officers gave chase along Main North Rd and Kinkaid Rd.
Patrols set up road spikes on Yorketown Rd, which successfully punctured two of the Ford Laser’s tyres.
Police patrols used road spikes to stop a car during a northern suburbs pursuit https://t.co/sOZXC1hiKM pic.twitter.com/lgW9y4BoKH
— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) May 19, 2020
However, the man allegedly kept driving on bare rims into Elizabeth South along Fairfield Rd, then north on the Phillip Highway.
The man eventually stopped on Main North Rd at Elizabeth North.
He was charged with driving to evade police, driving in a manner dangerous to the public, driving an unregistered car and driving with an expired licence.
His passenger, a 25-year-old woman, was reported for carrying an offensive weapon after she was found with a baseball bat.
The man was granted bail to appear in court next month.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
POLICE IDENTIFY MAN KILLED BY TRUCK
Major Crash investigators have identified a pedestrian involved in a fatal crash at Gillman on Monday night after appealing for the public’s help.
Police and emergency services were called to the Port River Expressway at Gillman, just after 7pm on Monday 18 May after reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a truck.
The pedestrian, a 28-year-old man from Paralowie, died at the scene.
The truck driver was not physically injured in the crash, but he and other drivers at the scene were treated for shock.
On Tuesday night, police released a list of the man’s tattoos in the hope someone might be able to identify him.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
BUS UP IN FLAMES
An Adelaide Metro bus has caught alight in at the depot on Railway Tce, Mile End, but there are no reports of injuries.
The bus caught alight a little after 3.30pm.
FOUR SERIOUS CRASHES LEAVE TWO DEAD
There has been a spate of serious crashes on SA roads in the past 24 hours. Two people have died, several others were injured, and a house was demolished by an out-of-control truck.
A male pedestrian died after being hit by a truck on the Port River Expressway on Monday evening. The man – who could not be immediately identified – was hit by the truck at Gillman just after 7pm. He died at the scene.
A passenger died in a fatal crash on the Sturt Hwy near Lindsay Point Rd at Paringa about 2.45am on Tuesday. Two other occupants, including the driver, were taken to the Riverland General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of a Holden sedan was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with critical injuries when his car collided with a large truck on the Yorke Hwy, near Port Arthur in the state’s Mid North, just before 5am on Tuesday.
Then just after 10.30am on Tuesday, a truck smashed into a beach house at Carrickalinga, causing it to collapse and trapping the driver and his passenger in their cabin for 30 minutes.
For more details, pictures and video on these crashes, read our full story here
WOMAN DRINK-DRIVING WITH CHILD IN CAR
A woman has been caught drink driving with a child in the car near a Port Pirie school.
Police stopped her car on Anzac Rd at Risdon Park just before 3.30pm on Monday.
The female driver, 39, of Port Pirie South, returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.130.
Police say she had a child in her car and was pulled over as part of an operation targeting drivers under the influence around schools.
She was reported for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol and lost her licence for six months.
She will appear in court at a later date.
Sergeant Tristan Graham of the Yorke Mid North Highway Patrol said the incident was “disappointing”.
“Clearly these people don’t deserve to be on the road putting other people’s lives at risk, especially when they don’t even put the safety of their children first,” he said.
MONDAY, MAY 18
ANOTHER DRINK-DRIVER BUSTED WITH CHILD IN THE CAR
A 39-year-old man who recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.061 with a child in the car was pulled over by police after having just dropped off more children at school.
A police patrol pulled over a vehicle near a western suburbs school for a mobile driver test just after 9am on Monday as part of Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive.
The male driver, from the western suburbs, was issued with an expiation notice for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol.
Police will notify the Department for Child Protection.
Operation Stop Drink Drug Drive was conducted across the state on Monday during peak school drop off and pick up times.
On Sunday night, a motorcyclist was found drink driving with a disqualified licence after police caught the driver doing 141kmph in a 100kmph zone on the Southern Expressway in O’Halloran Hill.
The 31-year-old driver, who failed to stop for police, was arrested on the Southern Expressway in Hackham West and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.090.
He was charged with drink driving, exceed speed, fail to stop and driving with a disqualified licence.
WOMAN FINED FOR READING BOOK WHILE DRIVING
A College Park woman has been fined $253 for reading a book while driving.
A member of the public spotted the woman, 25, reading the book while driving along Lower North East Rd at Campbelltown about 5pm on Monday, May 11.
They recorded the woman and gave the footage to police.
Road Policing officers later fined the woman for failing to keep proper control of a vehicle.
Driving is a complex task and anything that serves as a distraction from that task, including using a mobile phone or reading a book, can significantly impair your reaction time, your ability to maintain speed and your ability to judge safe gaps in traffic, police said.
It comes just a day after The Advertiser reported more than half of the lives lost on SA’s roads so far this year were linked to driver distraction.
In 2019 there were 46 lives lost in collisions where distraction was a contributing factor. In 2020 we have already seen 24 lives lost due to distraction.
MAN ARRESTED OVER VIOLENT INCIDENT AT WATTLE PARK
A man will face court over a violent incident involving a woman in the eastern suburbs at the weekend.
The man, 53, has been charged with threatening to kill or endanger life, aggravated assault, unlawful detention and sexual assault.
The charges arise from an incident involving the man and his alleged victim, 55, inside a Wattle Park house on Saturday. The pair were known to each other.
Police arrested the man at Tusmore on Monday morning following a public appeal for sightings of his gold Suzuki car.
He is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.
DRINK DRIVER CAUGHT SPEEDING AT BAROSSA VALLEY
A man who was caught speeding at nearly 100 km/h over the speed limit in the Barossa Valley returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.130, police say.
The man, 26, of Renmark was clocked travelling at 209 km/h in a 110 km/h zone on the Sturt Highway at Greenock about 9.15pm on Sunday.
Police pulled the man over and he was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
He was reported for driving at a dangerous speed and drink driving.
The 26-year-old also lost his licence on the spot for six months and will appear in court at a later date.
His car, a Hyundai Elantra sedan, was impounded for 28 days.
TWO ARRESTED OVER QUARRY BREAK-IN
Two people, including a teenager, who allegedly broke into a quarry in the Barossa Valley were being tracked by a witness with binoculars yesterday.
Police say a witness saw the two males, 17 and 20, breaking into the quarry on Penrice Rd at Penrice just before 3pm.
“The vigilant witness was able to keep an eye on the men while on the phone to police, providing a live commentary of their position,” a police spokeswoman said.
The two males were arrested and were found with small walkie talkies and several tools, including welders, drills and radios. They were suspected of being stolen.
They were both charged with being unlawfully on premises, going equipped and theft.
They were bailed to appear in the Tanunda Magistrates Court in September.
SUNDAY, MAY 17
CYCLIST DIES IN CRASH AT HENLEY BEACH
A man has died after crashing his bicycle at Henley Beach this morning.
Police and paramedics were sent to Wright St just after 10am in response to reports of a man falling from his bike.
The 61-year-old Brooklyn Park resident was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he later died.
Police believe no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Wright St, between Henley Ave and Reedie St, remains closed while Major Crash officers investigate the incident.
One line of inquiry is whether the man suffered a medical episode.
His death brings the number of lives lost on SA to 45, compared to 45 at the same time last year.
JUST IN: A cyclist has died after coming off his bike at Henley Beach. The 62-year-old was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but could not be saved. Police do not believe any other vehicles were involved. Report in 7NEWS at 6pm. https://t.co/8ftPfFYTVQ #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/gSWuoQlw3B
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) May 17, 2020
CRASH NEAR GOOLWA
A man was flown to hospital with what was initially thought to be life-threatening injuries after a crash between Middleton and Goolwa.
A silver 2010 Honda sedan rolled near the intersection of Port Elliot and Boettcher roads at about 10.45am.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 38-year-old man, was flown to the Flinders Medical Centre.
His condition improved at hospital where he is being treated for leg injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The Port Elliot Rd had been closed to all traffic while emergency services were on the scene but it has since been reopened.
Police ask anyone who saw the Honda prior to the crash to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at crimestopperssa.com.au.
CARS DESTROYED IN ARSON ATTACK
Two vehicles have been destroyed and four others have been damaged in what police suspect was an arson attack at a Prospect car yard.
Police and MFS crews were sent to the Main North Rd car dealership just after 2am this morning in response to reports of a car ablaze at the rear of the business.
The fire quickly spread and firefighters were able to extinguish the inferno but six cars were damaged in the incident, two of which were destroyed.
Police are investigating the incident and ask anyone who saw suspicious behaviour in the area, particularly around Willcox Ave, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at crimestopperssa.com.au.
CANNABIS FOUND AT TWO WELLS
A man and woman will face court after police found cannabis at a Two Wells property.
Officers went to the property about 12.30pm on Saturday in response to information from the public.
They searched the home and allegedly located about 8kg of cannabis.
A 53-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman, both from Two Wells, were reported for possessing a commercial quantity of cannabis for sale and possessing prescribed equipment.
They will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
Police ask anyone with information about the cultivating, sale or supply or cannabis to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at crimestopperssa.com.au.