Travis John Allan: Car rollover lands man in court
A 24-year-old has faced court on a drink driving charge after he rolled his car following multiple pub stops.
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A hard earned thirst has landed a 24-year-old man a massive $1500 fine and five-month license suspension.
Cessnock dad of two Travis John Allan faced Lithgow Local Court after a drunken single-car rollover accident onto the wrong side of the road.
Court documents show he consumed “undisclosed” schooners of Victoria Bitter (VB) beers at two pubs — the Lansdowne Hotel in Lithgow and The Commercial Hotel in Wallerawang — before crashing a 4WD.
“Your breach of the law was quite flagrant,” Magistrate Cate Follent said.
Allan, who is currently employed as a diesel fitter, pleaded to a mid-range drink driving offence, telling the magistrate he needed his license for work.
Magistrate Follent noted he came to police attention because he rolled his car after drinking at two hotels.
Police allege Allan attended the Lansdowne about 12pm on February 24, where he drank schooners of VB, before driving to The Commercial, where he drank more VB.
About 4.30pm Allan allegedly lost control of a Nissan Patrol while driving north along the Castlereagh Highway towards Mudgee (about 3 km before Capertee). The 4WD has rolled, coming to rest on its roof on the wrong side of the road.
Witnesses called the police and Allan — who declined help from NSW Ambulance paramedics — underwent a roadside breath test, allegedly blowing 0.113.
He was placed under arrest and taken Lithgow Police where he returned the same positive reading and surrendered his NSW drivers’ license.
In her sentencing remarks, Magistrate Follent said in acting as he did the accused “posed a very real risk to yourself and others.”
She described the circumstances leading up to his arrest as “extremely serious” but took into account he had pleaded guilty early, did not have a prior record, and had a glowing character reference.
The reference tendered to the court described Allan as a “friendly, well-mannered, quiet young man” who “consistently demonstrates he is a good, loving and dedicated father.” It noted the offence seemed “quite out of character for him.”
Allan was convicted of the mid-range drink driving offence and fined $1500. His license has been suspended for five months and he must have an ignition interlock device installed for 12 months.