Luke John Coleman sentenced for dangerous driving after running over Mackay cop

A Mackay man has learnt his fate for a chaotic failed escape, running over a police officer and hitting a dog to escape arrest.

Luke John Coleman was previously jailed for domestic violence, evasion and dangerous driving.

A Mackay man with a history of drug abuse and dangerous driving landed in hot water after he ran over a police officer in a desperate attempt to escape.

The court heard Luke John Coleman, 31, was confronted by police at his home on March 16, 2024 after it was alleged he was in possession of a stolen vehicle.

Coleman tried to escape in a Toyota LandCruiser when they arrived and drove straight into a fence, then reversed, striking an officer in his arm, chest and leg, in the process.

Coleman continued struggling against police after they removed him from the car, hitting a police dog and grabbing at other officers.

He was arrested and spent 359 days on remand from March 16, 2024 to March 9, 2025.

Coleman faced Mackay Magistrates Court in 2022 and now faces District Court for driving dangerously after previous conviction.

Coleman pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, assaulting police, evasion, and multiple counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court heard he had two prior convictions of dangerous driving to escape police, including smashing his way through a police car blocking his path.

He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in the Mackay Magistrates Court for two dangerous driving offences and two evasion charges.

Defence Barrister Scott McLennan said before he was addicted to meth, Coleman had a good work history in Mackay’s construction industry.

Mr McLennan said he started a relationship with a heavy meth user in 2021 and “he began using methamphetamine heavily and... spiralled from there, he lost his job”.

Coleman told a court in 2022 he intended to move to Hervey Bay, a statement his defence repeated in 2025. Picture: Facebook

District Judge John Coker said Coleman could not keep behaving in this manner.

“You’ll put yourself and others at risk... you’ll hurt your family,” Judge Coker said.

Coleman’s mother was in court supporting him and the court heard Coleman’s running over of police was as a result of his panicked state.

“Whilst you knew there was someone around you it was not your intention to try and run over a police officer,” Judge Coker said.

“It was simply, inherently dangerous the activities you engaged in because of the fact a vehicle can be a weapon.”

Judge Coker said despite his offending Coleman had prospects and it was clear drugs had a significant impact on his life.

“It’s tragic that you’ve spent so long in jail,” Judge Coker said.

“What’s really tragic is that it’s your own stupidity that led to you spending so much time in jail.”

Coleman was sentenced to two years imprisonment for dangerous driving with a previous conviction, with a parole release date set for March 10, 2025.

Judge Coker declared 359 days in custody served and convictions were recorded.

Coleman was also listed for sentence in the Mackay Magistrates Court on March 10 and the matter was adjourned until April 30, 2025.