Purga man Dean Jason Roots in court for Macca’s Ripley drug drive

An Ipswich man who had taken a potent cocktail of four drugs dozed off twice at the wheel, once to the chagrin of hungry customers behind him.

An Ipswich man who had taken a potent cocktail of benzodiazepines, morphine, methadone and codeine was found by police asleep at the wheel at a popular McDonald’s, blocking other customers from accessing the drive-through.

Dean Jason Roots, 42, from Purga, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court to driving under the influence of dangerous drugs at Ripley on March 14 this year.

Roots had fallen asleep with the engine idling at the McDonald’s Ripley drive-through and caught the attention of fast-food seekers who were blocked from accessing the lane.

After waking and driving away from the McDonald’s, Roots apparently again stopped a short distance down the road, where he was intercepted by police at the corner of Ripley Rd and Rex Hills Drive.

Purga man Dean Jason Roots, 42. Picture: Ross Irby

He tested positive to benzodiazepines, morphine, methadone and codeine.

The court heard Roots’ speech was slurred, he was unsteady on his feet and Roots had difficulty in finding his driver’s licence.

Magistrate Virginia Sturgess told the court Roots’ slumber was a result of the drugs kicking in.

“It was fortunate you fell asleep at the wheel, rather than driving erratically or causing an immediate risk to the public,” Ms Sturgess said.

Ms Sturgess detailed to Roots the impact that such drugs found in his system have on people.

Roots was convicted and fined $1200, which was remitted to SPER.

He was disqualified from driving for six months.