Warnervale: Unaccompanied Learner Zachary Shultz, 20, in high range drunken crash

An unaccompanied learner driver might as well go back to riding a trike after returning a massive blood alcohol reading and crashing his car in what his lawyer described as an “absolutely shocking” case of drink-driving.

Zachary Shultz, 20, leaving Wyong Local Court after pleading guilty to high range drink-driving, negligent driving and being an unaccompanied Learner not displaying L-plates. Picture: NewsLocal

A learner driver with a terrible record tried to “jump into nearby bushland” after crashing his ute in torrential rain late on a Friday night.

Zachary Shultz, 20, of Kariong, faced Wyong Local Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to high range drink-driving, negligent driving, being an unaccompanied Learner and not displaying his L-plates.

His Legal Aid lawyer told the court Shultz had a very difficult childhood and since moving out was living with a couple who argued constantly.

“Things were horrific at home,” she said.

“He made a ridiculous decision to drive, he drove to escape that situation. He caught up with a friend, he consumed some drinks and had an accident on the way home.

“I’m not making excuses, it’s shocking, it’s absolutely shocking.”

Shultz was driving west on Sparks Rd, Warnervale, late at night and in torrential rain. Picture: Google

An agreed set of facts states Shultz was driving his Toyota Hilux about 10.35pm on Friday, November 1, westerly on Sparks Rd, Warnervale.

“The accused has continued along in the breakdown lane striking the beginning of the guard rail causing the front nearside wheel to break free from the vehicle at the CV joint,” the facts state.

“The vehicle has continued along for approximately 25m scraping along the guard rail before coming to a stop.”

Shultz, 20, leaving Wyong Local Court after being convicted and placed on a good behaviour order. Picture: NewsLocal

“The accused has stood on the roadway before jumping into nearby bushland. Witnesses have stopped to render assistance, trying to calm the increasingly agitated accused person before emergency services arrived.”

Shultz was taken to Gosford Hospital for observation where blood tests later recorded an alcohol reading of 0.192 — almost four times the limit for a fully licensed driver.

“During recovery of the motor vehicle a strong odour believed to be alcohol could be smelt emanating from the vehicle,” the facts state.

“At the time of the offence the roadway was wet due to torrential rain, it was night time with minimal street lighting in the area.”

Police tried to follow up with Shultz a few times but were unsuccessful and as such he was never interviewed.

Magistrate Danielle Mansour said Shultz was not assisted by his traffic record which she described as “terrible”.

“I accept this was a grave mistake, I accept it was a very big mistake but the mistake you made could have had dire consequences,” Ms Mansour said.

She convicted Shultz and sentenced him to a community correction order for 12 months and fined him $550 for the drink-driving and negligent driving offences but dismissed the unaccompanied Learner and failing to display plates offences.

She also disqualified him from driving for two years but did not impose an interlock order after the court heard he had since sold the ute and had no access to a car.