Anthony James Kaperonis: Sheep shearer high on weed crashes into tree after a gruelling three-month working trip

A sheep shearer who put his life on the line when driving high on weed and later crashing into a tree has learnt his fate in court. Here’s how it unfolded.

A sheep shearer who was high on weed when he lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a tree, has been convicted in court.

Anthony James Kaperonis, 26, appeared in Wellington Local Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs.

According to documents tendered to court, Kaperonis was heading towards Dubbo about 10.30pm on September 29 last year, in his silver Mitsubishi sedan on Saxa Road, Comobella.

After losing control of the vehicle at a bend in the road, Kaperonis attempted to correct his “pattern of driving” and overcorrected, crossing the opposite lane and colliding head on with a tree.

Anthony James Kaperonis appeared in Wellington Local Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to driving with drugs in his system.

“The bonnet of the vehicle has become crushed on top of [Kaperonis] causing him to be trapped by confinement,” documents reveal.

A number of emergency services were called to the scene, with Kaperonis telling paramedics that he had consumed cannabis earlier that day.

Members from the State Emergency Service assisted police and paramedics to free the 26-year-old from the vehicle.

Kaperonis was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital where it was later revealed he had sustained a broken pelvis, broken femurs, a broken tibia and fibula.

At the hospital, Kaperonis returned a positive result for THC, with court documents revealing police were satisfied he was under the influence when driving.

On Tuesday, Kaperonis’ lawyer, Ms Stevenson told the court her client was returning home from three months away on a farm in Condobolin when the incident occurred.

Ms Stevenson said the sheep shearer indulged in smoking cannabis to “relax” due to the physically demanding nature of the job.

The court heard as a result of the crash, Kaperonis was deemed “medically unfit” for work for six months, returning to the job in April with his partner forced to take on the burden of supporting the family, during his hiatus.

In completing the traffic offender’s program, Ms Stevenson explained her client has shown insight into the “detrimental effects” cannabis has on people driving, compounded with the physical and psychological consequences suffered from the crash.

While noting the serious nature of the offence, Magistrate Stephen Olischlager accepted Kaperonis had understood the gravity of his actions.

He was satisfied with the 26-year-old’s “good character,” highlighted in his references and his “fairly good [driving] record” with a special range drink driving conviction from 2018 the only other matter.

Kaperonis was ultimately convicted and fined $1000 along with being disqualified from driving for 12 months.

“The penalty has to be a clear sanction … to make it clear that anyone driving with any drug [in your system] is going to find themselves before the court, with serious repercussions,” Magistrate Olischlager concluded.