John Stewart Hellmuth drink driving in Tin Can Bay

A Tin Can Bay fisherman has learnt the hard way that drink driving does not pay, after getting behind the wheel while he was more than three times over the limit, and causing a three-car crash.

On March 9 in Tin Can Bay, John Stewart Hellmuth crossed onto the other side of the road and hit an unoccupied parked van, forcing it backwards into a car behind it.

A 56-year-old Tin Can Bay fisherman was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for nine months after getting behind the wheel while more than three times over the legal limit and causing a three-car accident.

Gympie Magistrate’s Court heard on Thursday that on March 9, 2024, John Stewart Hellmuth’s Hilux crossed onto the other side of the road at Tin Can Bay and hit an unoccupied parked van, forcing it backwards into a car behind it.

Helmuth’s BAC was 0.164 per cent.

Helmuth operates a prawn fishing boat business with his wife and was facing financial stressors at the time due to poor weather and government changes, the court was told.

“The two other vehicles have been written off,” lawyer Chris Anderson said.

He said the defendant paid “$17,000 for one vehicle and $8000 to the other”, on top of the damages done to his own car.

“I’m so glad you are standing in front of me today instead of in a hospital or a morgue,” Magistrate Bevan Hughes said.

On March 9 in Tin Can Bay, John Stewart Hellmuth crossed onto the other side of the road and hit an unoccupied parked van, forcing it backwards into a car behind it.

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Mr Anderson said Hellmuth did philanthropic work, donating his time and product to schools and local businesses.

Mr Hughes said “you strike me as a man of integrity”.

“We don’t need to lose members of the community with your character and integrity. That would be a loss for all of us.”

A conviction was recorded.