Possum Creek man William John Parrington faces court after drink-driving crash on Glebe Bridge at Coraki in northern NSW

A Possum Creek medical apprentice on his P-plates was tracked down using his phone’s location data after his car was found overturned on a rural bridge in northern NSW.

William John Parrington, 18, outside the court.

A Possum Creek medical apprentice on his P-plates crashed and rolled his car into the railing of a northern NSW bridge after drinking beers at a party.

Emergency services workers found William John Parrington’s car resting against the railing with nobody inside, Ballina Local Court has heard.

The 18-year-old man faced the court pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.

NSW Police were called to the crash on the Glebe Bridge along Dawson St in Coraki about 2.30am on August 18 last year, according to court documents.

Fire and Rescue NSW came across the scene before police arrived.

The Glebe Bridge in Coraki.

“The car failed to make a right-hand turn and crashed into the rail causing it to roll onto its side,” court documents state.

“Fluids were leaking from the car.”

There was little to no street lighting on the road at the time of the crash

Parrington’s parents arrived at the crash site and they helped police find him under a tree a short distance away by tracking his mobile phone location.

He was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and smelt of alcohol.

“He had consumed a number of beers at a party,” police facts state.

Parrington refused medical treatment after the crash.

William John Parrington, 18, (left) faced Ballina Local Court.

Defence Lawyer Greg McBurney told the court on March 2 that Parrington was a medical apprentice in Mullumbimby who had no criminal history.

“This is out-of-character behaviour … he took a swag to sleep in the car but that didn’t happen,” he said.

“He has completed the traffic offenders program.”

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said Parrington put the community at risk.

“Luckily nobody was injured or killed,” she said.

Parrington was convicted, sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and his licence was disqualified for seven months.