Joshua James Chandler: Dubbo car parts salesman charged with negligent driving

A young Dubbo man who wrapped his car around a tree, breaking 47 bones and requiring several surgeries will learn his fate in court early next year. Here’s the details.

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

A Dubbo car parts salesman broke 47 bones after wrapping his car around a tree, a court has heard.

Joshua James Chandler, 25, appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday supported by his girlfriend as he pleaded guilty to negligent driving and use unregistered registrable class a motor vehicle on road.

According to documents tendered to court, a number of marked and unmarked police cars were responding to an accident about 20km north of Narromine just after 6pm on April 25.

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

As police headed to the scene, an unmarked police car passed three vehicles “described as Holden Commodores” on Burroway Rd – heading towards Dubbo.

Police noticed a green Holden Commodore – later confirmed to be the car Chandler was driving – in the middle of the convoy but “due to the nature of the previous accident … other police were requested to stop the vehicles”.

“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.

“Due to the speed and distance between [Chandler’s car] and police, [they] made no attempt to pursue or attempt to stop the commodore.”

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

A number of emergency services were called to the scene as paramedics stabilised Chandler who was rescued after several hours and taken to Dubbo Regional Airport where he was flown to Westmead Hospital in Sydney.

Dubbo Local Court.

Police investigations determined Chandler’s commodore “failed to negotiate a small right hand bend in the road running off … on the grass”.

‘This is supported by the skid markings observed in the grass before the vehicle crossed … onto the incorrect side of the road,” court documents reveal.

“Skid marks could be seen across the roadway for a total of approximately 150 metres prior to the final resting place.

When looking at the car, police found the commodore without any registration plates and further checks revealed it was cancelled in September 2021.

In court on Wednesday, Chandler’s lawyer Zoe Huijer submitted guilty pleas on behalf of her client.

She told the court Chandler had broken 47 bones and has currently completed seven surgeries and “requires a further two” as a result of the offence.

“I see a lot of people in wheelchairs,” Magistrate Miszalski said.

Ms Huijer replied saying, “that is still possible, pending further surgeries”.

In reading the facts sheet, Magistrate Miszalski was amazed Chandler had “survived” before Ms Huijer outlined her client’s subjective case.

“He is working as a car part salesman,” she said.

“He does have significant medical fees … [his] capacity to pay fines are somewhat limited.”

Ultimately Magistrate Miszalski wanted Chandler to complete the traffic offender’s program before he was sentenced.

The matter was adjourned until February 22 with Chandler due to be recovering from surgery in January.

“Good luck with your surgery,” Magistrate Miszalski concluded.