Gurpreet Singh gets suspended sentence after running over jogger

A delivery driver whose car mounted the kerb and hit a morning jogger, leaving him an effective quadriplegic with brain damage, has avoided actual jail time.

A delivery driver whose car mounted the kerb and hit a morning jogger, propelling the fitness instructor into a brick wall and leaving him an effective quadriplegic with brain damage, has avoided actual jail time.

Gurpreet Singh, then 20, was driving home after a night shift when he failed to negotiate a bend on Pinelands Rd, Sunnybank Hills, and mounted the footpath about 7am on January 24 last year.

Singh travelled for about 20 metres along the footpath before hitting the victim who was “projected into a brick wall, bounced off that brick wall and came to rest near that storm water drain” Crown prosecutor Steve Dickson said.

Gurpreet Singh outside Brisbane Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“The injuries to the complainant were exceptionally serious,” he said.

The man suffered a traumatic brain injury leaving a permanent impairment on his higher brain function, a spinal injury resulting in permanent paralysis of the legs and severely reduced ability to resume his arms.

“In essence he’s a permanent quadriplegic,” Mr Dickson said.

He also suffered a compound ankle fracture, broken eye socket and damage to an artery and nerve in his left arm.

The man, who spent 15 months as an inpatient at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, said the injures had ruined his life in a victim impact statement.

“He says the nightmare doesn’t go away, it’s now his reality. He requires 24-hour care, seven days a week,” Mr Dickson said.

“He spent 20 years as an extremely focused strength and conditioning trainer.

“He just wanted to go for a run that morning. His horrific injuries have destroyed his life.”

The man’s sister, who assists in looking after him, said it had an emotional and exhausting effect on her and everyone in the family.

Singh today pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard Singh stayed at the scene of the crash and told police he was tired, had been going home to sleep and couldn‘t remember what had happened.

Barrister Alastair McDougall tendered a number of character references and a letter of apology from his client.

“In terms of my client’s remorse … and I’ve seen it in him, is his self-loathing to the point of concern at times,” Mr McDougall said.

“He doesn‘t know how he’s going to get over it, this part is obviously insignificant in terms of the effect it’s had on the victim and his family but he does instruct he is entirely and extremely remorseful.”

The court heard Singh was in Australia on a bridging visa and supported his family back in India.

Singh had completed the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program, the court heard.

Magistrate Julian Noud said there was some suggestion Singh was tired however it was not clear to what degree. Neither alcohol, drugs nor speed were involved.

“I consider that the injuries here are most serious. The complainant would have died from these injuries without treatment,” he said.

“Clearly the injuries are lifelong and devastating on the complainant and his family and those who care for him.”

Mr Noud said he took Singh’s relatively young age into account along with the lack of a criminal record and minor traffic history.

Singh was sentenced to four months‘ prison wholly suspended.

He was disqualified from driving for 10 months.