Drugged-up drink driver ploughs into fence, tree on busy Warwick street

The Warwick man faced jail time after he lost control of his car after drinking and smoking weed, leaving the vehicle and other property ‘significantly damaged’.

A Warwick man who ploughed his car through a fence and into a tree while driving drunk and high on a main road has only narrowly avoided time behind bars.

Nicholas Daniel Burgis lost control of his car while turning right from Albion Street onto Jackie Howe Drive at about 9.20pm on May 5, running along the nature strip before hitting a fence.

The Warwick Magistrates Court heard a witness told police the 20-year-old fled the scene in a ute, abandoning his “significantly damaged” car.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Barry Stevens said Burgis’ escape was short-lived and he wound up in hospital that night, where officers noted his “bloodshot eyes, pale skin, and breath smelling of alcohol”.

“(He) told police he’d been drinking and smoked marijuana prior to driving that night,” he said.

Sergeant Stevens said it was another week before police formally interviewed the Warwick man and further details of his shocking crash came to light.

“He was turning right from Albion Street onto Jackie Howe Drive when he lost control due to high speed and wet weather,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“He told police he knew (his licence) was disqualified and what he consumed (that night) would cause him to be before the court today.”

Burgis was the only person injured in the crash, sustaining a broken foot and facial wounds.

The court heard he was on probation at the time and had a small criminal history, but neither were for similar offences.

Defence lawyer Amber Acreman told the court her client struggled with mental health concerns and substance abuse, but was now focused on his rehabilitation.

“At the time he said he’d gone three days without his proper medication and alcohol and other matters were a ‘quick fix’,” she said.

“Since this particular incident, he instructs me he’s ceased drinking and been to the doctor to get back on his prescribed medication.”

Ms Acreman also submitted to the court a number of reference letters from Burgis’ GP, counsellor, and family members speaking to his remorse for the offending.

Magistrate Julian Noud sentenced Burgis to three months’ jail wholly suspended for nine months, and reprimanded him for his “complete and utter disregard” for the law and other road users’ safety.

Burgis pleaded guilty to one count each of driving under the influence, driving without due care and attention, and unlicensed driving.

He was also placed on probation for two years and disqualified from driving for two years and three months.