Meth head Michael Colin Hicks jailed after $196k car totalled in highway chaos

A man has faced court for a meth-fuelled drive into oncoming highway traffic which resulted in a catastrophic collision, the destruction of a $196,000 car and hospitalisation of the offending driver and his passenger — his partner — who said she still loved him in court.

A court has heard how a Toowoomba man’s dramatic police chase ended when he drove into oncoming motorway traffic and crashed into a $196,000 car, hospitalising both himself and his partner.

Michael Colin Hicks, 30, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on September 19, 2022, to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, evasion, driving without a licence, and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard that on November 13, 2021, Hicks, whose licence was disqualified at the time, was seen doing a U-turn at a dead-end street in Loganlea while his partner Alana Marie Knox was in the passenger seat.

Police followed him onto the Logan Motorway and, when asked to stop, Hicks accelerated, overtook multiple vehicles, drove across the grass strip dividing the traffic, and drove on the wrong side of the motorway.

Footage was played in court of multiple vehicles swerving to avoid Hicks, and finally of Hicks crashing into a Dodge Ram.

Car crash on the Warrego Highway at Karalee on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Picture: Katelyn Martin

In what Judge Catherine Muir noted was a “miracle,” the other driver had no significant injuries; however, his $196,000 car could not be repaired.

Hicks was unconscious when police arrived, spoke offensively to them when stirred, and was placed under arrest.

The court heard Hicks suffered a brain injury and collapsed lung from the incident and was hospitalised for eight days. He also tested positive to having methamphetamine in his bloodstream.

Ms Knox was taken to hospital immediately, and was treated for what Judge Muir said were “extensive life-threatening injuries,” with fractures to her spine, pelvis, leg and feet, along with a lacerated kidney, injured spleen, and blood clots in her veins and arteries.

“Without intervention and medical treatment she would have died,” said Judge Muir.

Car crash on the Warrego Highway at Karalee on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Picture: Katelyn Martin

Ms Knox attended court to “surprise” Hicks at his sentencing, exchanging “I love you”’s, embracing and kissing him when he arrived at the dock.

Hicks told her “I woke up in hospital with no pants on … As soon as I seen all the coppers and detectives standing around me, I knew it was pretty serious – because I couldn’t remember nothing”.

Ms Knox joked with her friend “he knows I’ll wait for him” and declared “I’m going to marry that man”.

Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie said Hicks’s criminal history showed “persistent offending … all having a similar character where it’s impulsive, erratic and volatile behaviour”.

His prior offences included drug offending, dangerous driving, and at least seven occasions where he, under the influence of alcohol, fought with, abused or assaulted hotel patrons.

Michael Colin Hicks, sentenced at Ipswich District Court for dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected by methamphetamine. Picture: Facebook/Michael Hicks

Defence lawyer Allana Davie said Hicks had had a “difficult and unsupported upbringing” and had struggled with his mental health since 2013.

“If he can get these things under control, which is what parole seems to suggest … he is a person where perhaps not all rehabilitation prospects are lost,” said Ms Davie.

Hicks was sentenced to five years imprisonment, with parole eligibility set for April 13, 2023.

His licence was disqualified for three years, and his 310 days of presentence custody were declared time-served.

Hicks and Ms Knox exchanged one last kiss and “I love you” before Hicks was taken back into custody.