Lochie John Taylor jailed for Yeppoon Road fatal crash which killed Nathanael Patson, 24
“The wrong person was taken”: The driver responsible for the death of a young Rockhampton man has been sentenced for his crime. Read the apology to his victim’s family here.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A young homeless man living in his ute had driven 9.4 kilometres, swerving all over the road, narrowly missing guard rails and two oncoming cars, before colliding with a vehicle being driven by Rockhampton man Nathanael Patson.
Lochie John Taylor was 20 and living out of his Mitsubishi utility, sleeping in it while parked in Yeppoon.
He woke six times during the night before the crash, after first going to sleep initially at 8.30pm and hitting the snooze button multiple times before he started driving along Yeppoon Road towards Rockhampton for work at 5.30am.
Taylor recalled his eyes trying to close as he drove and he veered two or three times “dangerously” to the left and almost struck guard rails at the driving range.
Crown prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence said Taylor’s driving behaviour in the minutes leading up to the crash led to another motorist to decide not to overtake him out of fear of a collision.
Taylor had intended on pulling over once reaching the next hill.
“Unfortunately, his fatigue was so much he could not maintain concentration for that period,” Ms Lawrence said.
Taylor, now 22, will spend the next eight months in prison after being sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on September 24, 2021, for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death for the fatal crash on Yeppoon Road, at Bondolla, at 5.45am on March 3, 2020.
He was sentenced to three years and three months prison, suspended after serving eight months, and operational for five years for killing apprentice stonemason Mr Patson.
Mr Patson was 24 years old when his Honda Focus collided with Taylor’s ute near the intersection of MacKays Road and Yeppoon Road while on his way to work at Ten Commandments Granite and Marble.
Speed, alcohol or drugs, were not considered factors in the crash, with the court hearing Taylor was doing 100km/hour at the time of the crash, while Mr Patson’s speedo was stuck on 108km/hour.
Mr Patson was trapped in his vehicle with firefighters having to cut the roof of the car off to retrieve him.
He was flown to Rockhampton Hospital and then spent two weeks in ICU in Brisbane before he died on March 16, 2020, due to head injuries including cerebral contusions and subdural haematoma.
Mr Patson was a member of the Peace Christian Church and was described by family and friends as a caring young man.
Taylor managed to get out of his vehicle after the crash and was making his way to Mr Patson, who was unconscious, when he collapsed.
“The visions of that day will remain with me for the rest of my life and Nathanael will not be forgotten by me,” Taylor told the court, as he read out an apology letter to Mr Patson’s family, fiancee and her family.
Other motorists stopped to assist the men, including a medical dispatcher who worked for Queensland Ambulance Service.
Taylor told one bystander, and later police, “I’m so sorry. I remember wanting to go to sleep, I was waiting until the top of the hill (to pull over)”.
Taylor was transported to Rockhampton Hospital with minor injuries.
He pleaded guilty to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle charge, along with drug driving after he confessed to police he had used marijuana three days before the crash, possessing knives in public and one of contravening police direction by failing to attend a drug diversion program.
Defence barrister Scott Moon said Taylor spoke of his remorse during the first conference they had.
“He told me: The wrong person was taken. That poor innocent guy. It should have been me,” Mr Moon told the court.
He said Taylor accepted he should not have gotten behind the wheel that morning.
Taylor was supported in court by his parents, brother, future sister-in-law, uncle, aunt and his best friend.
Judge Michael Burnett said the four reference letters provided to the court spoke of a loyal person with a generous heart, strong morals and integrity, who was remorseful.
Lochie Taylor’s apology letter
“To the family of Nathanael Patson.
“I want to express my sincere apologies to all of your family, friends and especially your fiancee.
“I have read all of the victim impact statements and it makes me feel sad to hear all the pain that I caused to everyone who was involved in Nathanael’s life.
“It is upsetting to hear that my actions of driving while tired took the life of person who lived his life in service of those around him, who was spoken of highly by his family and friends.
“I have found it hard and made it me sad to hear that you were put through the pain of having to watch him in the ICU for days.
“I am very sorry that all of you had to go through that.
“I realise that Nathanael was only young and in the prime of his life.
“He was about to start a new life with his fiancee.
“I am deeply sorry for taking that away from her and his family.
“I have struggled with what has happened on that day and I have had nightmares as a result.
“The visions of that day will remain with me for the rest of my life and Nathanael will not be forgotten by me.
“Hearing that you have forgiven me for my actions and wish me well in moving forward has meant so much to me and I thank you.”
Woman’s head ‘hit the concrete’ after man’s pub punch
A Central Queensland man has learned his fate after he punched a woman in the mouth at a pub, causing her to fall and hit her head on the concrete.
Named: Man charged over alleged random drive-by shooting
The identity of a man charged after a gunshot was allegedly fired at a vehicle in Central Queensland during a drive-by incident, can be revealed.