Jesse Anthony O’Rourke blew 0.149 after crashing his friend’s sedan in Tannum Sands

A drunk Gladstone man was intercepted by police after crashing his friend’s car following a 12-hour drinking session which finished about 4am, a court heard.

Jesse Anthony O'Rourke was fined over $1500 and suspended from driving for 12 months in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday.

A drunk Boyne Island man was intercepted by police after crashing his friend’s car following a 12-hour bender, a court heard.

Jesse Anthony O’Rourke, 22, pleaded guilty to drink driving over the middle alcohol limit and driving a vehicle not equipped with an interlock device.

On June 25, around 8.30am, a member of the public contacted Tannum Sands police regarding a car crash into bushland near Tannum Sands Road where three men had exited the car and run off.

The car was reportedly in a ditch and had crashed into a tree which had caused extensive damage to the point where it was written off.

At 8.35am police conducted patrols of the area and located three men on Tannum Sands Road.

O’Rourke identified himself as the driver and told police it was his friend’s car and he had taken a wrong turn which caused him to lose control of the car.

Police observed the smell of liquor coming from O’Rourke, which led to him being breath tested.

He was detained and transported to Tannum Sands police station for further testing and questioning.

Checks on O’Rourke’s licence showed it had a current condition stating he had to have an ignition interlocking device and the interlock period was active until September 13, 2022.

O’Rourke told police he had consumed his first beer around 4pm the day before and had carried on drinking until 4am the following morning.

O’Rourke clarified he was the driver and due to it being his friend’s car he did not have an interlock device.

He also returned a second positive breath test, with a BAC reading of 0.149 recorded.

O’Rourke was subsequently issued a notice to appear in the Gladstone Magistrates Court.

He was fined $1800 and suspended from driving for 12 months. Convictions were recorded.