David Alan Huston: Five cows destroyed in road train rollover

A man has lost his licence after flipping a truck carrying more than 100 cattle on a rural road but not for long.

When a road train carrying 102 cattle flipped at Hail Creek, David Alan Huston told police he was going too fast around the corner at 90km/h and tried to avoid a low-hanging tree.

After a breath and saliva test, though, police found he had a positive reading for drugs.

Huston flipped a 2013 Prime Mover with two trailers attached transporting 102 cattle on Turrawulla Rd near Hail Creek.

Five cattle had to be euthanased as a result of the injuries they suffered during the crash on January 20 this year.

Prosecutor Lennon Stathoulis told Mackay Magistrates Court Huston refused help from paramedics for his injuries and waited for police to arrive.

David Alan Huston pleaded guilty to driving without due care, possess utensils or pipes that had been used and driving while relevant drug is present in blood or saliva. Picture: Facebook.

He said police searched Huston’s vehicle after the positive test and found a pipe.

Huston was then taken to Nebo Police Station for testing where he admitted he had consumed meth over the weekend.

Mr Stathoulis argued a fine in addition to a licence suspension would be appropriate.

Defence solicitor Shaun Gibbs said the impacted truck was yet to be repaired and Huston had not driven it since the incident.

He said the crash was a result of an overcorrection after losing control of his vehicle.

Mr Gibbs said his client was an experienced driver and his employer was aware that he would be disqualified but may decide to fire Huston depending on the disqualification period.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said the fact Huston’s employer still wanted him to drive his truck, spoke volumes about him.

She said a three-month suspension would be excessive because it could mean Huston lost his employment and accommodation.

Huston pleaded guilty to driving without due care, possess utensils or pipes that had been used and driving while relevant drug is present in blood or saliva.

He lost his licence for one month and was fined a total of $800.

No conviction was recorded.