Tyrone Brian Collins fined for crash with Energex cherry picker

A severely drunk Sunshine Coast P-plater blew a shocking blood alcohol reading after he crashed into an operating Energex cherry picker while employees were working above.

A severely drunk P-plater blew a shocking blood alcohol reading after he crashed into an operating Energex cherry picker while employees were working above.

Tyrone Brian Collins was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for 11 months after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and failing to comply with the duties of a driver involved in a crash.

Collins had briefly driven his car out of his driveway when he hit the Energex truck at 9.20pm on December 5, 2021.

“It (the truck) had a cherry picker that was extended at the time and there were two employees that were in the bucket of the cherry picker,” police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said.

Senior Constable Lambert said Collins walked away form the scene before police found him and brought him back to his address where a damaged white Subaru was found.

She said the 27-year-old later blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.205 and suggested a high fine and “significant” disqualification period.

“It could have been a very different outcome given there were two employees in the cherry picker bucket at the time … (Collins’) vehicle hit the Energex truck,” Constable Lambert said.

Tyrone Brian Collins, was $1200 and disqualified from driving for 11 months after he drunkenly crashed into an Energex cherry picker while workers were in the machine's bucket. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

The Buddina resident apologised for the incident and said he was grateful no one was hurt.

Collins said he had tried to do the “right thing” by giving his details to a witness.

“I did offer to exchange details but this guy was adamant on having a confrontation, so I just walked away,” he said.

“I was very drunk and he wasn’t happy …”

Magistrate Barry Barrett fined the P-plater $1200 and disqualified him from driving for 11 months.

Traffic convictions were recorded.