Sean Wesley Nash steals car and drives it into oncoming traffic on Bruce Highway

A Townsville man drove into oncoming traffic on the Bruce Highway in a stolen car after he was tracked down by a phone app.

Sean Wesley Nash jumped into a vehicle where the keys had been left inside while the owner paid for fuel. Picture: Supplied.

A Townsville man drove a stolen vehicle into oncoming traffic on the Bruce Highway after the car’s owner tracked him down and tried to take his car back, a court has heard.

On August 17, a motorist left the keys inside his car when he walked inside to pay for his fuel at an El Arish Service Station.

Police prosecutor Tim Madsen described how Sean Wesley Nash, 35, spotted the keys, jumped into the vehicle and took off down the highway.

Determined to recover his car, the owner used an app to ping his phone, and traced his car to Butler St in Tully.

Sean Wesley Nash jumped into a vehicle where the keys had been left inside while the owner paid for fuel. Picture: Supplied.

The victim ran towards the stolen vehicle and Nash accelerated forward about 2m, just missing the man.

“He then drives over the traffic island, onto the wrong side of the street, and then drives on the wrong side of the road, southbound on the Bruce Highway,” Mr Madsen said.

“It’s at speed, against the flow of traffic, and other road users have to take evasive action.”

Police set up a corden and called in a helicopter to help find Nash after he jumped out of the vehicle and ran into a cane field at Silky Oak.

A taser was deployed during his apprehension and police took him to Tully Hospital for medical checks.

When officers went to get him a glass of water, Nash attempted to flee the hospital but was quickly recaptured.

He appeared via videolink in Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday, pleading guilty to the charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted escape by persons in lawful custody, and obstructing a police officer.

Sean Wesley Nash has a long criminal history in Queensland and New South Wales. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Madsen said Nash had “significant” criminal histories, both in Queensland and New South Wales, and had spent most of his adult life incarcerated or under prison orders.

Nash had served 65 days in presentence custody at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, with his remaining jail sentence activated after his parole was cancelled.

He called for another 12 months to be added to Nash’s jail sentence.

Defence lawyer Phil Rennick didn’t disagree with the prosecutor’s sentencing recommendation, saying Nash would “struggle to get parole when he becomes eligible”.

Mr Rennick said his client was the father of two children, aged 9 and 5, who suffered from the trauma of his wife dying from cancer while he was behind bars.

This exacerbated his drug use and offending.

Magistrate Ross Mack was conciliatory, saying he wished things had worked out differently for Nash.

“I’ve got sympathy for you. but not as much sympathy as for the poor bloke who lost his car,” Mr Mack said.

Sean Wesley Nash pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted escape by persons in lawful custody, and obstructing a police officer. Picture: Supplied.

“I feel for your children, you’re in Mareeba, it’s hard for them to get up there, all these things you might contemplate before you next shoot up.”

Nash said he understood and took the blame.

Having regard for the serious nature of the offending, Nash’s criminal history and previous sentences, the detrimental effect on the victim, that it was for personal gain, and the prevalence of the offence in the community, the magistrate had no alternative to a term of imprisonment.

Nash received an additional 12 months imprisonment, with a parole eligibility date for August 17, 2023.

Originally published as Sean Wesley Nash steals car and drives it into oncoming traffic on Bruce Highway