Driver of car hit by red-light running stolen vehicle in Clayton South faces court
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A stolen car driven by joy-riders crashed while running a red light in Clayon South. But the driver of the car they smashed into has found himself fronting court. Here’s why.
Inner South
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A man whose car was smashed into by a speeding, red-light-running stolen vehicle has found himself fronting court.
Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday Rakesh Turan, 25, was on his way home from his job as a restaurant cook when the joy-riders’ car ran the red light, smashing into his vehicle at the corner of Blackburn and Wellington roads in Clayton South about 9pm on December 11 last year.
The driver and passengers in the stolen car fled and Turan, in shock, also left the scene, leaving his car stranded on the road.
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Police found Turan’s nearby home address through his car’s registration number, which also revealed he was a disqualified driver after copping an 18-month ban for drink-driving in April last year.
Turan told police he left the scene because he “thought the car might explode” and he had never been in a crash before so did not know what to do.
Turan’s defence lawyer said the Clayton South man, who pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while disqualified, was a cook at a restaurant on a working visa when the “unfortunate” crash, which was not his fault, occurred.
He said Turan normally received lifts to and home from his workplace but was stuck on the day in question due to his friend having childcare issues.
The lawyer said Turan had since become a powdercoater so he could get to work without driving.
He said Turan was already massively out of pocket, having to pay $2000 to get his car fixed and another $425 in towing fees.
The lawyer said a conviction could derail Turan’s plan to apply for permanent residency next year.
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Magistrate Jade Bott said she accepted the accident was not Turan’s fault but he should not have been behind the wheel.
“It was an error of judgment by you,” Ms Bott said.
“You were told by a court of the consequences of driving while disqualified, (yet) you took a chance.”
Turan was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond, ordered to do a road trauma awareness course and must give $500 to the court fund.
He was also suspended from driving for another 60 days. No conviction was recorded.