Damien Lee Stein, 27, pleaded guilty in Gladstone District Court after friend who was ‘hanging out the car window’ injured in Landing Road, Yarwun crash

A Gladstone hoon fled the scene of a crash after his mate who was hanging out the window was thrown from the vehicle and seriously hurt. His list of injuries was extensive. See what happened in court.

A Gladstone hoon who crashed an unregistered vehicle that seriously injured a passenger was handed a suspended sentence.

Damien Lee Stein, 27, pleaded guilty in the Gladstone District Court to one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and summary offences of driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle as well as failing to remain at incident and exhibit proper respect.

Judge Jeffrey Clarke sentenced Stein to 21 months in prison, suspended for an operational period of two years and further disqualified him from obtaining a driver’s license for two years.

Damien Lee Stein, 27, pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm. Picture: Generic/Supplied

Crown Prosecutor Amelia Baker-Smith told the court that on June 24, 2020, Stein met with a group of people at Landing Road, Yarwun in Gladstone’s north before conducting a number of burnouts.

The court heard that Stein was operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, which he did not own, while performing the burnouts with at least one passenger inside.

During this time, the complainant in the matter climbed onto the frame of the passenger door while hanging out the window as Stein drove.

Shortly after, Stein lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a traffic pole which launched the passenger out of the vehicle and onto the road.

Damien Lee Stein, 27 pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm. Picture: Generic/Supplied

Ms Baker-Smith told Judge Clarke that the complainant was “seriously injured” as a result of the crash, which resulted in him travelling to a Brisbane hospital for treatment of a complex bilateral pelvic fracture, ruptured bladder, a punctured lung and a femur and clavicle fracture.

Ms Baker-Smith said while the injuries were serious there was not enough medical documentation presented to amount the injuries to ‘grievous bodily harm’.

She then told the court that after the crash Stein drove the vehicle a short distance away from the scene before returning to the crash and being picked up by another vehicle and leaving the complainant behind.

While no victim impact statement was submitted, Ms Baker Smith referred to a police interview five months after the crash where the complainant told police he was suffering from “ongoing pain”.

The crash occurred at Landing Rd, Yarwun in June 24 2020. Picture: Generic

Defence barrister Scott Moon told the court that his client had graduated from Toolooa State High School in Gladstone, was a father to a young child although had separated from the child’s mother, and that Stein maintained a good relationship with his own parents.

Mr Moon said while it was regrettable that Stein fled the scene, it was out of shock and fear of the repercussions and said it was noteworthy that he returned to check on the complainant’s wellbeing before leaving.

Mr Moon then told the court that Stein later travelled to Brisbane of his own accord to check on the injured passenger, however, he was told he was not allowed and then asked friends to pass on his apology.

Stein was fined a further $1000 for driving the vehicle while unregistered and uninsured.