Labourer Nash Habler jailed for running over man with car in Maroochydore

A young Sunshine Coast labourer has been led away to custody after he used his car as a weapon against a group of pedestrians and ran over a man’s leg before speeding away.

Nash Habler faced the Maroochydore District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to assault while armed, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and drug driving. Picture: Barry Leddicoat

Cries have been heard in court after a Coolum Beach labourer was jailed for running over a man’s leg and driving off on the Sunshine Coast.

Judge Nathan Jarro told Nash Habler he must serve time in custody on Thursday for his “extremely foolish, careless and immature” hit and run of a 44-year-old man on December 11, 2021.

Maroochydore District Court was told Habler, who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and drug driving, had marijuana in his system when his car collided with the victim.

Dashcam footage shown to the court displayed a group of pedestrians walking along Plaza Pde towards Duporth Tavern in Maroochydore after a Christmas lunch where they came across Habler driving about 7pm.

Nash Habler. Picture: Facebook

Habler pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore District Court. Picture: David Clark

Crown prosecutor Joshua Francis said Habler did an illegal U-turn in the street which drove through the group at the Mungar St intersection.

The court was told the victim slapped one of the Coolum Beach man’s car windows and shouted at him.

Habler drove a short distance up the road but suddenly performed another U-turn and drove towards the group on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Francis said Habler struck the 44-year-old victim with his car and drove over his leg before he sped off.

The court was told the victim suffered a gash to his skull along with a concussion and lost consciousness for a period of time.

The prosecutor said the victim also suffered fractures to his ankle and shoulder, a cut to his thumb and a burn to his calf from the tyre spinning on his leg.

He said Habler “targeted” the victim through the “weaponisation” of 20-year-old’s car, and pushed for jail time.

He was supported by family in the public gallery. Picture: Patrick Woods

The victim was in hospital for three days however required ongoing treatment for his injuries including skin harvesting and graphing.

Habler turned himself into Maroochydore police three hours later with his mum and said he couldn’t remember the hit and run and had “freaked out”.

A blood test was conducted on Habler which showed a positive indication for marijuana in his system.

During an interview police were told the Coolum Beach man suffered from panic attacks, however the prosecution didn’t accept this due to the 20-year-old’s level of control of the vehicle in the street.

In a victim impact statement, the man said he lost his job, his income and suffered ongoing problems with his ankles and the “emotional toll”.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon argued for Habler not to serve time in custody, and said the labourer was deeply remorseful and completed extensive rehabilitation in the two years since the incident.

Mr Dixon said the labourer smoked marijuana heavily at the time but was now abstinent. The barrister said Habler was only 18-years-old at the time.

The District Court Judge said members of the public should not expect to be targeted by “hooligans in cars” who believe driving is a right rather than a privilege and use their cars as weapons.

Despite acknowledging his positive steps towards rehabilitation and his youth, Judge Jarro jailed Habler for two years, to be suspended after he served three months.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months.

Members of the Coolum Beach man’s family wept as he was led away to custody.