Mitchell Ryan: Heritage Park drink driver cops big fine in court
An IT student who a court heard comes from a “good family” has copped a massive fine and lengthy disqualification after he and two mates had a hankering for a 4.30am smoke.
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A young IT student from Logan has copped a massive financial blow and lengthy disqualification after crashing into a residential fence with two passengers while more than three times over the legal limit.
Heritage Park man Mitchell Allan Ryan, 22, was charged with high-range drink driving and driving unlicensed due to the accumulation of demerit points following the May 14 crash.
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Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard the incident occurred about 4.30am at Clarke Rd, Crestmead.
Ryan and two friends had been drinking Jack Daniels at the defendant’s Heritage Park address when Ryan made the decision to take them to the nearest service station in his black BMW sedan for a packet of cigarettes.
However, when approaching a T-intersection, he inexplicably continued straight through, demolishing a metal barrier and smashing into a terrified resident’s fence.
Police and paramedics attended the scene and Ryan was transported to Logan Hospital.
Interviewing officers smelt liquor on Ryan and a blood sample revealed a reading of 0.168 per cent BAC.
“He didn’t know how he crashed,” police prosecutor John Paratz told the court.
“He thought he blacked out.”
Defence lawyer Basil Karsas told the court his client came from a “good family” and had insight into his offending.
Mr Karsas said his client’s car, valued at between $8000 – $10,000, was written off, while the person whose fence he crashed into has lodged an insurance claim of $4000.
Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll doubled down on the financial pain for Ryan, fining him a further $1750 and disqualifying him for 14 months in total, bringing the total amount he is on the hook for to more than $15,000.
“Aren’t you lucky,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
“Drink as much as you like but just don’t drive afterwards.”