Daniel Peachey learns fate for drink driving after crashing into parked ute at Narellan

A business owner wrote off his Tesla – leaving him with $35,000 in debt – after a drunken trip saw him crash into a parked ute and drive across a neighbour’s lawn.

Daniel Peachey fronted Picton Local Court on Wednesday for sentencing.

A Tesla driver who got behind the wheel while intoxicated after an afternoon at a beer festival before he crashed into a parked ute and drove off without leaving his details has learnt his fate.

Daniel Paul Peachey, 33, of Sutherland, fronted Picton Local Court on Wednesday for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving, and not giving particulars to another driver.

Police facts reveal Peachey, a former Narellan resident, had attended a Penrith brewery on March 16, where he consumed an “unknown amount of alcohol, mainly being Lager”.

Later that night, Peachey’s brother was driving when he stopped in the Narellan Town Centre to go into the shops, and Peachey got behind the wheel.

Peachey then started driving, tried to travel around a left-hand bend but veered onto the wrong side of the road and collided with a ute parked on Frances St.

Daniel Peachey.

Both cars sustained extensive front-end damage, but Peachy reversed the Tesla and continued to drive down the road before mounting the kerb and driving across the front lawn of another residence before driving off.

Police were called and found the car damaged and parked with its hazard lights on at a Narellan home.

Lawyer Jonathan Jaramillo told the court Peachey’s brother suffered from a hereditary disorder and Crohn’s disease. He had become ill and had “uncontrollable” vomiting, so the pair stopped at the shops so he could get cleaned up.

“Mr Peachey made the impulsive and reckless decision to drive home only 200m away,” Mr Jaramillo said. “This is not a normal drink driving case.”

Mr Jaramillo said his client was facing a $35,000 debt after the Tesla was written off, was dealing with a broken-down relationship and had sought psychological assistance.

“He also has his own business called Windows Property Group “It is in its infancy … he does not pay himself a salary at this stage, pretty much just keeping the business afloat.”

Magistrate David Degnan said it was apparent Peachey was “incapable” of controlling the vehicle.

“What happens when plan B doesn’t work is you have a plan C,” he said. “You don’t get in the car … doesn’t matter whether its 100m, 200m or less.”

Magistrate Degnan acknowledged no one was hurt but said Peachey had caused damage not only to his car but to the “innocent owner of the parked vehicle”.

He sentenced Peachey to a 12-month community correction order, disqualified him for nine months and fined him $1750.

Peachey must complete 100 hours of community service and follow an interlock order for two years.