Joshua Chandler: Dubbo car parts salesman sentenced for negligent driving

A negligent dubbo driver, who wrapped his car around a tree, breaking 47 bones has been sentenced. Here’s the latest.

Joshua James Chandler appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, November 30.

A Dubbo negligent driver who broke 47 bones and had spinal surgery was “test racing” an unregistered Holden Commodore before wrapping the vehicle around a tree, a court has heard.

Joshua Chandler, 25, appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, pleading guilty to negligent driving and use unregistered registrable class a motor vehicle on road.

Police documents tendered to the court reveal a number of marked and unmarked police cars were responding to an accident 20km north of Narromine about 6.10pm on April 25, 2022.

As police headed to the scene, an unmarked police car passed three Holden Commodores on Burroway Rd, heading towards Dubbo.

Joshua James Chandler appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, February 22.

“A few minutes later, police observed the green Holden Commodore travelling at speed,” court documents reveal.

“A marked police vehicle conducted a U-turn with intentions to stop the [car]. At this time, the police vehicle had lights and sirens activated.

According to the facts, the police made “no attempt to pursue or attempt” to stop Mr Chandler’s vehicle.

After losing sight of the car, police noticed a “plume of dust”, later locating the Holden Commodore wrapped against a large tree and Mr Chandler trapped “by compression”.

NSW Ambulance, NSW Fire and Rescue and emergency volunteers were requested to attend the scene and “stabilise” Mr Chandler.

After a couple of hours, he was conveyed to Dubbo Regional Airport where he was flown to Westmead Hospital in Sydney.

Dubbo Courthouse

Police investigations established that Mr Chandler “failed” to recognise a “small right hand bend” in the road before “running off” into the grass.

The investigation is supported by the skid marks seen for approximately 150m before the resting place.

His solicitor Lara Martyn-France said this was a “very serious offence” but requested a “mid-range” fine would be appropriate.

Ms Martyn-France said her client had felt the consequences of the incident in a “severe way”.

Magistrate Gary Wilson said the incident was “serious” and was surprised no other charges were laid.

He said the drive was as “bad” as it could have been “without killing someone”.

“You were pretty close to killing yourself,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Chandler was convicted for negligent driving and driving an unregistered vehicle and fined $1500 for the two charges.