Diu Yual jailed for horror Springvale crash which almost killed young dad
Police have released video of the carnage left by a drunk, speeding P-plater who ran a red light and slammed into a young dad’s car, leaving him with permanent disabilities. The crash was so severe witnesses thought “a bomb had gone off.”
South East
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A 20-year-old drunk road menace who almost killed a father and local cricket legend in a horror Springvale crash earlier this year has been spared a stint in the big house.
Diu Yual had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 when he sped through a red light at the intersection of Princes Hwy and Springvale Rd and ploughed into dad and Cheltenham Cricket Club legend Mark “Dutchie” Ryan just before 5am on January 14.
Yual and his five passengers – many of whom weren't wearing seatbelts – had drunk alcohol at a Richmond party prior to the crash, a court heard.
The P-plater was hurtling his unregistered vehicle at 113km/h in an 80km/h zone when he smashed into the father of two who was driving to work.
The impact forced Mr Ryan’s car into a traffic island while Yual’s car spun out 12 metres.
A witness noticed Yual’s car “flying past” at “excessive speed” moments before the collision.
Another motorist – who had just cleared the intersection – heard an “almighty bang” and thought a “bomb had gone off”.
Yual climbed into the back seat and gave police a false name and date of birth in a bungled attempt to mask his crime.
Mr Ryan, who had to be extracted from his car, suffered severe traumatic brain injuries which required emergency lifesaving surgery.
He did not regain consciousness until January 24 but remained in an intensive care unit until February 6.
A medical expert said Mr Ryan — who remained in hospital for several months – would have died if he did not receive emergency treatment.
The expert said Mr Ryan may be able to walk properly again but his hearing would likely be impaired.
Mr Ryan will also need ongoing support with finances, decision-making and community access, the expert said.
“Clearly the prognosis is not good,” the expert said.
Mr Ryan’s partner, Melinda Curson, said Yual’s offending had “devastated” her family and their involvement with the Cheltenham Cricket Club.
“Mark had dreams of playing a full game of cricket with the boys... this is no longer possible,” she said.
“Mark was in hospital and rehab for a total of 7 months, he will never get this time back with
his children or his family and friends.
“Mark has now moved home with his parents, as he needs 24 hour supervision.
“I don’t know what sort of progression Mark will make, whether he will be able to be with
the boys unsupervised.”
Yual, 20, was sentenced in the County Court on November 29 to four years in a youth justice centre after pleading guilty to negligently causing serious injury and conduct endangering persons.
The court heard Yual was awarded a scholarship to play basketball in North Carolina but turned to alcohol after he was denied a visa.
Judge Claire Quin said the circumstances regarding Yual’s offending added up to a “dangerous combination”.
“This experience shows the damage that can be done to others on the road when you completely disregard the duty that you owe to other road users,” she said.
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However, Judge Quin said Yual’s youth, early guilty plea and his good prospects of rehabilitation were all factors she had to consider.
Yual, who had spent 313 days in custody in an adult jail at the time of sentencing, also had his licence disqualified for two years.