Former nurse more than three times limit and on lithium crashes into school bus

A former psychiatric nurse has turned his life around following a near “diabolical” crash into a school bus while medicated and more than three times the limit.

Drunk driving former nurse takes drastic steps after crashing into school bus.

A FORMER psychiatric nurse who crashed into a school bus while on a “very high dose” of lithium and while more than three times the legal alcohol limit has been congratulated for his recovery from mental health issues.

Peter Allan Lloyd, 50, pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of liquor when he appeared at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on November 8.

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Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chelsey Ham said Lloyd had been drinking red wine from a cask from 9am-3pm on June 4 in Samsonvale before crashing into a school bus with three students on board.

No one was injured in the crash.

“The vehicle turned wide into the path of the bus,” Sen Constable Ham said.

“The bus took evasive action but still struck the sedan.

“The bus footage showed that the Subaru did not appear to slow down enough to check and slow sufficiently for traffic.”

Tests would later confirm Lloyd had a blood alcohol limit of 0.178 per cent.

Lloyd’s defence solicitor, Collin Cunningham, said his client was bipolar and had been struggling with his mental health.

Mr Cunningham said the defendant had no criminal history, a “pretty uneventful traffic history” and had been “extremely motivated” to address his mental health and to regain employment as a patient advocate in the mental health field.

Lloyd spent two weeks in hospital to “regulate” his condition and completed a six-week rehabilitation course.

A letter of reference from a Dayboro police officer attesting to Lloyd’s recovery efforts was tendered to the court.

“He was on a very high dose of lithium for his condition and mixed it with alcohol,” Mr Cunningham said.

“He acknowledges freely the consequences could have been diabolical and he was mortified and horrified by what could have happened.

“He does take the matter very seriously and I think I can say with confidence you will not see him again.”

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Magistrate Trevor Morgan said it was never a good idea to mix lithium with alcohol and acknowledged Lloyd’s recovery efforts.

“It is obviously etched on your mind,” Mr Morgan said.

“Sometimes events like this, although catastrophic, can have a good outcome.

“You’ve grabbed your recovery with both hands and it seems to be working well.”

Lloyd was fined $1,200 and disqualified from driving for six months.

No convictions were recorded.