Blake Hawes: Mallabula teen convicted after high-speed crash on Lemon Tree Passage Rd, Newcastle

A teenage driver who made the “mind-boggling” decision to reach speeds of 160km/h and attempt to overtake multiple cars, ultimately crashing and rolling down an embankment, has been reprimanded in court.

Blake Hawes broke his back after he violently crashed his car during a road trip with his mate.

A teenage driver who made the “mind-boggling” decision to reach speeds of 160km/h in an 80km/h zone and attempt to overtake multiple cars, ultimately crashing and rolling down an embankment, has been reprimanded in court.

Blake Hawes, 18, of Mallabula found himself in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to driving recklessly and furiously at a dangerous speed and manner.

The major crash on Lemon Tree Passage Rd, near Newcastle, resulted in the red P-plate driver and male passenger suffering a broken back and brain bleed respectively.

Police facts tendered to the court reveal Hawes was travelling from the south coast after picking his mate up on March 3.

During the trip home, Hawes attempted to overtake two vehicles while travelling at 160km/h. However when traffic travelling in the opposite direction began to come toward him, he quickly merged back and hit another vehicle, causing his car to “fishtail”.

“He eventually rolled down an embankment several times before coming to rest on its side,” agreed facts state.

The impact of the violent crash caused Hawes to break his back and sustain multiple lacerations to his legs. Meanwhile, his friend suffered from a minor brain bleed.

The 18-year-old Hawes was convicted, fined and lost his licence after the crash.

Fire and Rescue NSW, SES, the Rural Fire Service, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance attended the scene to free the two men, who were trapped in the crashed vehicle. Once freed, both Hawes and his friend were taken to John Hunter Hospital.

After leaving hospital weeks later, Hawes was given a court attendance notice and charged by police.

In Nowra Local Court on Tuesday, Hawes’ lawyer, Claire Carpenter, said her client had conceded his driving was “stupid”.

“He’s already been punished enough with his injuries,” she said.

“He is going to have a sore back for the rest of his life.”

Hawes saw himself end up in Nowra Local Court after the dangerous driving.

Ms Carpenter asked for no conviction to be recorded, given Hawes’ young age; however, Magistrate Lisa Viney said the incident was too serious.

“This is a very serious example of dangerous driving,” she said.

“I don’t have to reiterate how dangerous your actions were on this day.

“It’s mind boggling you even tried to overtake.”

Hawes was convicted, sentenced to a 12 month community corrections order, had his licence disqualified for 12 months and fined $500.

“You’re fortunate you’re still alive,” Ms Viney said.