Jarrod Ziarh Kelly pleads guilty to causing dangerous crash in Buderim

A Bunnings Warehouse worker has partially given his reasons to police of how he caused a potentially devastating high speed crash on the Sunshine Coast which led to his car rolling onto its roof.

Jarrod Ziarh Kelly leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Sunshine Coast Bunnings Warehouse worker said the reason he flipped his vehicle after performing a skid down a steep hill was because he was “not going fast enough”, a court has heard.

Jarrod Ziarh Kelly was ready for work at the local hardware store after he was taken off the road for six months in Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week following a dangerous crash down a steep hill in Buderim.

Police prosecutor Mel Pyke said emergency services were called to the crash along Cogill Rd about 8pm on November 28 to find a grey sedan, with South Australian plates, on its roof with extensive damage.

Sergeant Pyke said Kelly was found looking for items in his car and was questioned about the rollover, to which he replied he “didn’t know” how it happened.

A witness to the crash told officers he saw Kelly’s car screaming down from the top of Cogill Rd towards Ballinger Rd before Kelly “entered a skid at high speed” and went past him.

He said he heard the vehicle flip at the base of the steep hill.

The court heard the witness ran to the 22-year-old’s vehicle and pulled the young man from the car.

Kelly admitted to having a few drinks before driving but could not articulate how many. He returned a positive roadside breath test to alcohol.

Kelly juggling his work gear after his sentence. Picture: Patrick Woods

The Bunnings worker said he was approached by paramedics to provide first aid, but he refused.

Sergeant Pyke said Kelly told police he was getting out of the ambulance for his vape when he tried to flee the scene, but he was restrained by police.

During a search, Kelly was found with a knife.

The court was told Kelly was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital by police where they tried to get a statement from him.

He told police “I wasn’t going fast enough”, but refused to elaborate further.

She told the court there was no blood alcohol analysis certificate to tender to the court as it had not been returned. He also had no criminal history.

Kelly, who represented himself in court last week, pleaded guilty to dangerously operating a vehicle while adversely affected and possessing a knife.

He told acting magistrate Raelene Ellis he was regretful for the crash, but clarified the knife found by police was for his job at Bunnings Warehouse.

The 22-year-old said he had recently moved from South Australia to begin a new chapter on the Sunshine Coast.

Ms Ellis fined Kelly $1750 and disqualified him from driving for six months, with convictions recorded.