Drunk artist ‘Mr Unique’ crashed car into Berwick Springs lake
It could have been a watery grave for a Beaconsfield plumber and artist “Mr Unique’’ after he crashed into Berwick Springs lake while three times over the limit.
South East
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A plastered plumber who went on a drive to clear his head after a fight with his family ended up in the drink — literally.
Youah Moot, who is also a Beaconsfield artist who goes by the name of “Mr Unique”, crashed into a Berwick Springs lake after hitting a parked car while almost three times over the legal limit.
The 26-year-old father of three pleaded guilty to careless and drink-driving charges at the online Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The court heard on December 23, 2019, Moot lost control of a grey BMW on The Esplanade, Narre Warren South.
It hit a Toyota, which then collided with a Land Rover, and then his car careered into the adjacent waterway.
A witness — and owner of one of the cars — heard the commotion and ran towards the scene, seeing lit tail lights sticking out of the water.
Moot was out cold, but came round just as police and ambulance paramedics arrived.
They helped him out of his vehicle and took him to hospital, where he registered a blood alcohol reading of .143.
His defence lawyer said Moot knows he was extremely lucky not to have hurt himself or anyone else, and appreciated how serious the outcome could have been.
He said his client, who works at Yarra Valley Water as a plumber and also has a lucrative art side project, had never been to court before and this was a blot on his otherwise exemplary history.
He said he had entered into an agreement where he reimburses the insurance companies of the owners of the damaged cars in a monthly payment plan.
Magistrate Costas Kilias said going for a drive to clear his head after drinking because of tension in the family home was a very poor thing to do.
“That’s clearly the worst decision you could have made,” Mr Kilias said.
“You were so under the influence you hit a parked vehicle and ended up in a situation.
“It could potentially have been a watery grave.”
Moot was given a two-year good behaviour bond, ordered to pay $1000 to the court fund and abide by the insurance payout plan, and complete a behaviour change program.
He was also disqualified from driving for 17 months. No conviction was recorded.
