Gene Douglas Roeton sentence for dangerous operation on Mooloolah Connection Road, Glenview

A 24-year-old was lucky his passenger and another driver escaped with their lives after he caused a serious head-on crash that left him in a coma, a court has heard.

A 24-year-old man has been jailed for his role in a horror head-on which nearly claimed the lives of two others.

Gene Douglas Roeton was sentenced to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 19 charges including dangerous operation of a car on Mooloolah Connection Road, Glenview on April 13. 

Magistrate Katherine Benson told the court Roeton suffered life-threatening injuries and hurt his passenger and another driver when he had a head-on collision about 6:30am.

“Both yourself, your passenger and others received significant injuries some of which that required surgery,” she said.

“You … and the others involved are fortunate that you all kept your lives.”

Roeton was unlawfully driving the stolen black Ford Falcon ute when he failed to negotiate a sweeping bend and drove onto the opposite lane when he hit a red Nissan Patrol ute.

Both cars valuing approximately $24,500 were written off in the crash.

A rescue helicopter was called to the crash in Glenview. Picture: RACQ LifeFlight Rescue

The court heard Roeton had 10 pages of criminal history with most of the offending within the past five years.

He had received periods of imprisonment that hadn’t deterred him.

Police prosecutor Lee Allen said a prison sentence between 2-2.5 years was in range for the dangerous driving offence that lead to the crash.

He said a 12-15 month prison sentence to serve one-third was appropriate for the unlawful use of a car on the same day.

The court heard the dangerous driving offence had to be added to the end of his current five-year sentence for a burglary.

Solicitor Leisel Rogan suggested an 18-month prison term given the sentence had to be added to his current sentence.

Emergency services on the scene of a serious head-on crash at Glenview. Picture: Natalie Wynne

Ms Rogan said the 24-year-old had little recollection of the crash that resulted in him being flown to hospital with a torn knee ligament, a broken back and broken hand.

She said he spent a week in a coma and was in hospital for 6-9 days.

“He instructs that the incident has had a big impact on him psychologically and that he has seen a psychologist in relation to the events while in custody,” Ms Rogan said.

The court heard Roeton felt he spiralled out of control after offending on parole as he knew he would be going back to jail.

Ms Rogan said he had shown some insight into his offending and had previously taken steps to address drug issues as well as engaging in employment before returning to prison.

She asked for his young age and prospects of rehabilitation to be considered.

Ms Rogan said it would be crushing to impose restitution and compensation as he would be spending time behind bars.

Emergency services on scene of a serious head-on crash at Glenview. Picture: Natalie Wynne

Roeton was also sentenced for evading police, attempting to enter a dwelling with the intent and supplying a schedule two drug.

Ms Benson said she noted Roeton’s early pleas of guilty, the circumstances of each offence, Ms Rogan’s submissions and the time he is spending in custody.

Roeton was given a new full-time release date of December 3, 2025 after a total of seven years.

To ensure Roeton was given the benefit of his early plea Ms Benson ordered an earlier parole release date of April 20, 2020.

He was disqualified from driving for two years for the dangerous operation charge, another two years for evading police and one month for driving while suspended.

No order for compensation or restitution was ordered.