Jesse Caruana: High-range Cornubia drink driver pleads guilty

A 20-year-old Logan man’s decision to get behind the wheel has cost him almost $4000 in fines and compensation.

A 20-year-old Logan man was lucky to escape with his life when he smashed into a person’s carport while more than three times the legal limit.

Cornubia man Jesse William Caruana was charged with one count of driving under the influence of liquor following the September 19 incident.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday heard Caruana had a blood-alcohol content of 0.172 per cent when he lost control of his vehicle on Hanlon St about 5.55am.

Police prosecutor Sgt Karine Evans told the court when police arrived, Caruana was sitting against the fence of 8 Hanlon St receiving treatment from QFES staff to a laceration on his eyebrow.

Cornubia man Jesse William Caruana, 20. Picture: Alex Treacy

Police also witnessed significant bruising to one of his arms and observed him to be in a “highly emotional” state.

Sgt Evans said he repeatedly told emergency officers he was “so embarrassed”.

Caruana had caused “structural damage” to the carport and also some damage to the car parked within.

Defence lawyer Lucy Ferguson told the court Caruana had attended an AFL game with a friend and then kicked on to a pub, where they continued drinking.

The two then received a lift home, again where they continued drinking, before Caruana made the inexplicable decision to drop his friend home in the early hours of the following morning.

Ms Ferguson told the court his client had already paid about $2700 compensation to the homeowner and may be on the hook for further payment.

“Aren’t you lucky you’re standing here today,” Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said.

Caruana was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for nine months.

A conviction was recorded.