Uatisone Po Ching pleads guilty to driving without due care and attention causing grievous bodily harm

A young Logan factory worker with no car insurance, responsible for a three-car crash on a major road where one man was seriously injured, has fronted court.

Uatisone Po Ching leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

A young man, whose irresponsible driving caused a three-car collision on a major Logan road, leaving one driver seriously injured, has been sentenced at Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

Uatisone Po Ching, 28 from Loganlea, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention causing grievous bodily harm and driving a defective vehicle, on January 31 2024.

The court heard Po Ching was driving along Park Ridge Rd, Park Ridge at 5.30pm on January 16, 2023 when he moved his eyes from the road to his passenger seat as he reached over.

Magistrate O’Driscoll said he caused a three-car crash and five of the people involved required urgent medical attention.

“It’s lucky you’re standing before me as you could’ve killer yourself or injured or killed other people,” Magistrate O’Driscoll said.

“Clearly this is serious and of concern to the court and the community as a whole,” he said.

Police prosecutor Stephen Cochrane said Po Ching caused $19,990 worth of damage and had no car insurance.

“The defendant has a history of three speeding offences since 2020 and on his history is also driving without due care and attention,” the Sergeant said.

Uatisone Po Ching leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

“He drove a car that was defective on a road, a starting point would be a significant fine,” he said.

Po Ching’s lawyer said he had no criminal history and was extremely remorseful of his actions.

“He has been working at PVC pressure systems company … for six years and during the incident no drugs or alcohol were involved,” a lawyer said.

“He remained at the scene and made admissions to police … This was more than one year ago and he has not committed any offences since.

“He has completed the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program and has provided the court with an apology letter,” he said.

Magistrate O’Driscoll said he had initially considered sentencing Po Ching with prison time.

“If you had your time again you would stop (your car) before reaching over your passenger seat,” Magistrate O’Driscoll said.

“Your speeding history is of concern,” he said.

Po Ching was sentenced to pay $19,990 of restitution to the complainant, fined $500 for driving a defective vehicle, fined $3,000 for causing grievous bodily harm and was disqualified from driving for six months.

No convictions were recorded.