‘Deliberately reckless’: Drugged-up driver jailed over horror Warwick crash that killed Greg Newey

He had a cocktail of drugs in his system when he ploughed through a stop sign and killed a well-respected Warwick identity, and now it’s been revealed just how soon the jailed 23-year-old will be able to apply for his freedom.

As a Warwick woman screamed for help from the wreckage of the crash that had just killed her husband and left her with life-threatening injuries, the drugged-up P-plater who recklessly caused the carnage was busy removing the number plates from his vehicle.

Brock Jules Hamers ploughed through a stop sign without stopping or even slowing down on September 14, 2020, before slamming into the Porsche driven by respected community leader Greg Newey and his passenger and beloved wife, Beth.

Mr Newey, 76, died at the scene, while his wife of 56 years was flown to hospital where she spent months recovering from a long list of injuries.

The Warwick District Court was told she suffered fractures to her vertebrae, pelvis and ribs, plus damage to her spleen, and injuries so severe her left hand had to be amputated.

In the moments following the violent collision, a then-21-year-old Hamers turned his attention to removing his number plates, despite his friend urging him not to and a bystander trying to physically restrain him.

Crown Prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke showed the court confronting footage of the collision, saying there was a chilling warning issued just seconds before the tragedy.

“He was a P-plater who, at the time, had already accrued the four demerit points he was permitted to have, by virtue of a speeding fine,” she said.

“Despite that, he got into the car to drop his friend home. He is driving at speed down his friend’s street, causing enough of a concern that a neighbour warned him about what he referred to as his ‘stupid driving’, and took a photograph of his number plate.

“There was a stop sign at the intersection that the defendant, as he drove off, made no attempt to slow down or stop at that sign, and drove straight onto Wood St.

“Mr Newey died at the scene. The defendant meanwhile, got out of his car and at no stage did he go over to the other car to assist.”

Ms O’Rourke noted Hamers was on probation at the time his “deliberately reckless” driving caused the crash.

Barrister Frank Martin told the court a witness confronted Hamers as he removed the number plates and asked what he was doing, to which Hamers responded, “I’m getting outta here, bro. I’ve got no points on my licence.”

Brock Jules Hamers, 23, has been jailed over the horror car crash that claimed the life of community figure Greg Newey.

The court was told the other man put his arm around Hamers’ neck to stop him leaving, and Hamers elbowed the other man and hit him in the mouth.

The other man punched Hamers in the head but then released his grasp when someone called out there was a fire at the crash site.

Mr Martin said his client’s father noted Hamers appeared to be in shock when he arrived back at his home after the crash, with the older man telling his son, “You have to go back. It’s not a small accident and it’s going to make it worse on you if you don’t.”

The court heard Hamers replied, “The only reason I came back here is so you could go back with me. I tried to go over to the other car but I heard the lady screaming and I freaked out and ran.”

Hamers and his father then returned to the scene and spoke with police.

The court was told Hamers had a combination of drugs in his system at the time of the crash, including meth, amphetamines, marijuana and sedatives including clonazepam.

Respected community figure Greg Newey died at the scene, and his wife Beth was left with severe life-changing injuries.

A report tendered to the court said there was no way Hamers could have been unaffected by drugs at the time, and would particularly have been affected by methamphetamines, clonazepam and marijuana.

Judge Dennis Lynch said the circumstances of the offence were “grave”.

“No one should be under any misapprehension this was simply an accident,” he said.

“What occurred (that day) occurred because of your deliberate choice to drive in the way that you drove.”

Hamers, who has been in custody since September 22, 2020, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving while adversely affected by a drug causing death and grievous bodily harm, and leaving the scene.

Sitting in the dock on Monday afternoon, the now 23-year-old appeared emotionless as he was sentenced to eight years in jail.

He will be eligible for parole on May 21 next year, and was also banned from driving for five years.