James Dennis sentenced for seriously injuring driver in Sylvania crash while intoxicated

A young man seriously injured another driver – dramatically changing his life – when he ploughed into him at speed while heavily intoxicated before he ran away from the scene.

James Dennis pleaded guilty and was sentenced to driving a car in a dangerous manner causing grievous bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A young man seriously injured another driver when he ploughed into him at speed while heavily intoxicated before he ran away from the scene, a court has heard.

James William Dennis pleaded guilty and was sentenced to driving a car in a dangerous manner causing grievous bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol; and failing to provide particulars to police in Sutherland Local Court this week.

Agreed facts tendered to court state Dennis drove a white Lexus on the Princes Hwy, Sylvania about 5.20am on October 13 last year.

He was travelling at an “unknown excessive speed” and “all over the road”, the documents said.

Another driver, in a Honda Civic, was waiting at the intersection of Holt Rd and Princes Hwy before he checked traffic and made the turn.

Dennis was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court.

Dennis, while travelling at speed, collided with the rear of the man’s car causing it to spin twice and hit the barrier in the middle of the road.

The car spun before again and hit the gutter causing him to be trapped inside for an hour and a half.

Dennis lost control of his car, travelled over a median strip, across three southbound lanes and ended up in a ditch and the airbags were deployed, documents stated.

Dennis ran from the scene and emergency services arrived, taking the victim to St George Hospital.

Police spoke to the registered owner of the car, Dennis’ father, and when police left the father’s house they noticed Dennis was hiding in the bushes of his neighbour’s front yard.

Dennis stood up, was unsteady, smelt strongly of alcohol and appeared extremely intoxicated, documents stated.

He told police he had been drinking and his friend was driving the car before he was arrested and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.173.

DNA testing revealed Dennis’ fingerprints were located on the airbags.

The 61-year-old victim suffered extensive injuries, requiring surgery on his neck and back.

He suffered six fractured ribs; a fractured vertebrae; haematoma near his right tibia; and knee and ankle injuries.

The man requires painkillers and struggles to move around requiring a walking aid.

A victim impact said the man was recovering, and continued to see his GP, physiotherapist, specialist and a psychologist and prior to the collision had an active life including participating in sports.

He described feeling constant chest pain, nightmares, concentration and memory issues.

Magistrate Philip Stewart accepted Dennis was remorseful and had family support, noting a psychological report stated he suffered from anxiety and depression, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The court heard Dennis was working and completing a TAFE certificate in tertiary preparation.

Mr Stewart noted the case was serious due to the victim’s injuries, number of people put at risk, speed, intoxication level and erratic driving, adding “he abandoned responsibility as a driver”.

Mr Stewart took into account Dennis’ age, prior good character and mental health issues along with his good prospects of rehabilitation.

Dennis was convicted and sentenced to an intensive correction order for two years to be served in home detention.

Dennis was disqualified from driving for three years, and must remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol, continue psychological counselling, and perform 300 hours of community service.