Girl, 2, injured after Joshua James Macdonald slammed into parked car on the Bruce Highway

A 29-year-old man asked if he was going to jail after he injured a two-year-old girl when he slammed into a parked car on the Bruce Highway.

Joshua James Macdonald was over the legal alcohol limit when he smashed into the back of a car parked on the side of the Bruce Highway. Picture: Laura Pettigrew.

A 29-year-old man was over the alcohol limit when he injured a two-year-old girl after slamming into the back of a parked car along the Bruce Highway.

Two adults and a two-year-old girl were taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for treatment after Joshua James Macdonald hit their car on September 5 at 3.30pm.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris told Caloundra Magistrates Court on Wednesday the victim’s car had extensive damage to its rear panels.

Sergeant Grigoris said Macdonald mistook the parked car as taking a nearby exit and was following it when he crashed.

“He applied the brakes, but it was too late, and he crashed into the rear of car,” she said.

She said Macdonald had four pages of traffic history and had been sentenced for two drink-driving-related offences.

Macdonald also had criminal history and was on a 12-month suspended sentence for an assault occasioning bodily harm offence at the time of the crash.

Sergeant Grigoris said a period of imprisonment was in range for the offending and said the suspended sentence could be activated.

“The nature of the accident was serious, there was a two-year-old child in the vehicle, there were injuries caused to the persons and he also posed a danger for other road users at the time, having regard to the blood-alcohol concentration,” she said.

Unrepresented Macdonald pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving while over the middle alcohol limit and without due care and attention.

Magistrate Catherine Benson asked Macdonald if he wanted to get legal advice before proceeding with the sentence.

The Little Mountain resident said yes and asked, “Am I going to go to jail?”.

Ms Benson said a prison sentence was on the cards.

She adjourned the matter to October 20 so Macdonald could get legal advice.