David Blackney: Lismore man sentenced over negligent driving crash

A Lismore man has been sentenced for negligent driving after a hot pursuit went wrong, landing two men with fractures and more.

A North Lismore man who accidentally hit two men with his car in a hot pursuit gone wrong has learnt his fate.

David Blackney, 54, appeared before Lismore Local Court on Monday for sentence on two counts of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm.

Court documents reveal Blackney was on the lookout for a 21-year-old man he had prior “grievances” with, looking to “bash him” for allegedly threatening his family, when the accident occurred on December 9.

Earlier that day, Blackney had been talking to his friend about their troubles with the 21-year-old when upon separating, Blackney spied the young man walking along Uralba St.

Blackney then confronted the man and court documents state a “heated conversation” was exchanged according to court documents.

As a result, Blackney called his friend who agreed to help track down the 21-year-old for Blackney.

The friend found the 21-year-old at a payphone in Diadem St and a chase soon broke out.

Meanwhile, Blackney who was patrolling the Kmart carpark in his black Holden commodore, saw the pair and went to stop his car and join “with the view of assaulting him if he got the option” about 6.15pm according to the court documents.

However, as he went to park, the 21-year-old and his friend came running out from behind a nearby car and Blackney hit them both.

Police alleged Blackney negligently failed to apply his brakes fast enough or hard enough in order to stop his vehicle and prevent the collision, furthered by a lack of skid marks on the road.

As a result, the 21-year-old suffered fractures to his right knee, right femur and right leg as well as cuts to his right forearm, court documents state.

His friend suffered a fracture to his right leg and lacerations.

Blackney’s solicitor Paul Smart noted the facts were “strange” but that the car was not speeding at any time and was likely doing about 10km/h.

He said the “hot pursuit” and sudden change of direction gave Blackney “very little time to pull up”.

“All in all, it is an unfortunate but unintentional accident,” Mr Smart said.

Mr Smart further said following the crash, the former commercial fisher had been in shock and had a seizure on site, noting the man’s significant health conditions including a pancreatic disorder.

“He’s not a well man,” he told the court.

Magistrate Jeff Linden did not convict Blackney, sentencing him to a 12-month Conditional Release Order.