Maroubra: Jackson Fitzgerald, of Lake Haven, crashed car drunk in police pursuit

When a Central Coast P-plater — who clocked 120km/h in a 60km/h zone trying to flee police while almost four times over the limit — came to he told officers “I’m drunk as f--k”.

Jackson Fitzgerald, 20, of Lake Haven, leaving Wyong Local Court where he pleaded guilty to a police pursuit, high range drink-driving and exceeding the speed by more than 45km/h. Picture: NewsLocal

A young man will be fighting to stay out of jail when he returns to court after pleading guilty to leading Sydney police on a blistering chase through the eastern suburbs before crashing into a median strip blind drunk.

Jackson Fitzgerald, 20, of Lake Haven, faced Wyong Local Court on Monday where his solicitor confirmed his client’s guilty pleas to not stopping during a police pursuit, exceeding the speed by more than 45km/h and high range drink-driving.

Upon accepting the pleas, the magistrate withdrew and dismissed the speeding charge as a “back up offence”.

An agreed set of facts states Eastern Beaches police were travelling south in an unmarked car on Anzac Parade at Maroubra when they saw a silver Mitsubishi Mirage at 3.55am on November 14.

“At this time police observed the accused’s vehicle approximately 150m ahead travelling at high speed,” the facts state.

Police chased Fitzgerald along Anzac Parade for 4km. (File image: Gordon McComiskie)

“The accused’s vehicle slowed down for the speed camera on Anzac Parade, cross of Boyce Rd, Maroubra, where police managed to catch up. Police followed the accused’s vehicle and observed him swerving in and out of the marked lanes and fluctuating in speed multiple times.”

Police activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop him but he turned left on Beauchamp Rd.

Fitzgerald leaving Wyong Local Court where he pleaded guilty to a police pursuit, high range drink-driving and exceeding the speed by more than 45km/h. Picture: NewsLocal

Fitzgerald, who was aged 19 at the time, turned back on Anzac Parade travelling south at 120km/h in a 60km/h zone.

“Police pursued the accused for approximately 4km at 120km/h until he approached the round-a-bout on Anzac Parade, cross of Little Bay Rd, Little Bay,” the facts state.

Fitzgerald tried to turn right at the roundabout but spun out and collided with the steel fence on the median strip.

Police stopped and assisted Fitzgerald who was semiconscious.

“The accused came to and realised he had crashed, to which he yelled “F--k, I’m pissed, I’m drunk as f--k, I’m so sorry’,” the facts state.

Police helped him out of the car and he was heavily intoxicated and slurring his words.

Officers conducted a roadside breath test which returned a result of 0.205.

He was taken to Maroubra Police Station where he underwent an official test and recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.179.

He was treated at the station by paramedics but was found to be largely uninjured.

Magistrate Alan Railton said Fitzgerald “well and truly” crossed the threshold to warrant jail and questioned why the young man was unsuitable to perform community service work if he was given a non-custodial sentence.

Fitzgerald’s solicitor, leading Central Coast traffic lawyer Bobby Locker, said that was more of a misunderstanding that arose out of his client recently getting a job and believing the hours would clash.

Mr Locker said Fitzgerald would be willing to do community service if it kept him out of custody.

Mr Railton adjourned the sentence until Wednesday for Fitzgerald to be reassessed for community service.