Bartholomew Cameron Norris: Drunk driver’s ‘lifelong’ injuries after ploughing into two trucks

‘Punished for life’: A farm worker who caused a shocking crash while almost four times the limit, was spotted driving erratically before his ute flipped after hitting two trucks.

A man was warned in court about the dark turn that his drunk driving could’ve taken after he drove almost four times over the alcohol limit and crashed into a semi-trailer and truck, that’s left him with lifelong injuries.

Bartholomew Cameron Norris claimed he had drinks at the Condamine pub with friends on June 12 before he got into his car and drove along the Leichardt Highway.

Police Prosecutor Chris Hutchins told Chinchilla Magistrates Court the 24-year-old was seen by witnesses swerving into other lanes before he crashed into a semi-trailer and truck.

“When police arrived they saw the white utility ute facing sideways,” he said.

“Police spoke to Norris while he was sitting trapped in his car, they could smell alcohol in the vehicle.”

Defence lawyer Daniel Creevey Jr said his client who couldn’t remember anything past 6pm that day had to be flown to Toowoomba Hospital where he was in intensive care for four days.

“He had major surgery on his left hand, a titanium rod through his femur, screws into his hip and knee, a bruised heart and lungs, and lost a lot of blood.”

Bartholomew Cameron Norris Picture: Facebook

The court heard the drivers of the trucks were uninjured.

Mr Creevey Jr said his client was remorseful and had paid the price for his “stupid actions”.

“His punishment will be with him for life, and is a reminder of the lifelong mistake he made,” he said.

“He’s now been placed in an office role and may not be able to work on cattle yards again,” Mr Creevey Jr said.

Norris, who had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.194 at the time of the crash, was supported in court by his parents.

Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan told Norris his actions could have ended tragically.

“You’re very fortunate you’re still here,” she said.

“To your credit, you are a young man with no significant traffic history (and) your family, friends and colleagues speak to your good character.”

Norris pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of liquor.

He was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for seven months.