Korumburra man nearly hits police officer at breath testing stop

A Korumburra fisherman, who started using meth after his daughter died, drove erratically towards a cop to avoid a breath test on New Year’s Day.

Korumburra man pleads guilty at Latrobe Magistrates’ Court.

A Korumburra man who tragically lost his daughter in a car crash, came close to hitting a police officer while avoiding a breath test on New Year’s Day, a court has heard.

Darren Kemp, 53, pleaded guilty at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to unlicensed driving, failing to stop on police direction and recklessly exposing an emergency worker to a risk to safety.

The court heard Kemp was directed into a preliminary testing station on Anderson St in Leongatha on January 1, 2020.

Kemp, who was the driver of a 2002 red Holden statesman sedan, slowed down initially before veering into a turning lane.

A police officer was standing on the centre line between the inbound and turning lane before Kemp turned the car left, directly facing the cop.

The court heard the cop became fearful of his safety because he thought Kemp was going to hit him.

When Kemp accelerated the car heavily causing a loud rev from the engine, the police officer quickly stepped backwards towards the turning lane to avoid being hit.

Kemp then drove within one metre of the officer at a fast speed which caused the officer to shake uncontrollably.

Kemp drove away erratically and dumped the car on the side of Wild Dog Valley Rd.

In a police interview, Kemp said he was at his dad’s house during the time of the incident.

Kemp’s lawyer Stephanie Thirlwall said the man worked casually as a fisherman and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Magistrate Jacinta Studham said the man had an “extensive prior history” for driving related offences.

“I think he has now done three stints in custody for offending,” she said.

“Predominantly his offending commences at the concerning level after the death of his daughter in a car accident in 2008 or 2009.”

Magistrate Studham said the death of Kemp’s daughter triggered his mental illness.

“It has definitely been aggravated and exacerbated by his decision to use meth and that has placed members of the community at risk,” she said.

“He went from somebody who had never served a term of imprisonment [to somebody who] until after the death his daughter, served at least three.”

Kemp will return to court on November 12.

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