Frankston Magistrates’ Court: Michael Ralph ploughs through roundabout on GHB
A man who tried GHB instead of zoloft to calm his nerves before a game of Trivial Pursuit with his parents ended up causing havoc on the roads in his sports car.
South East
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A man was so nervous about a night of trivial pursuit with his parents loaded up on GHB to calm his nerves before wreaking havoc on the roads in his sports car.
Michael Ralph, 30, appeared in the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drug driving.
In January this year Ralph was spotted driving his red Mustang through Sommerville on the Western Port Highway.
A witness saw him drift off the road into the gravel before drifting onto the other side of the road before coming to a stop in the middle of the road.
The witness tried to approach Ralph to take away his keys but Ralph drove off when he saw the witness approaching his car.
Shortly after Ralph came to a roundabout which he ploughed straight over, ripping up road signs and narrowly missing another car using the roundabout.
He continued driving before turning down a local road and driving straight into a metal pole and gate which sent his car flying.
The court heard the car was airborne before it crashed to the ground, rolling twice.
Ralph was taken to hospital where it was discovered he had GHB in his system, along with other prescribed anxiety medication.
The court heard Ralph had plans to meet up with his parents who lived in Mornington that evening to play a game of Trivial Pursuit.
He had been feeling anxious so went to get some zoloft but his dealer was out and suggested Ralph take GHB instead.
The court also heard Ralph couldn’t remember driving once he left his Somerville driveway, his next memory was waking in the ambulance.
A doctors letter tendered in court identified that Ralph was “over reliant” on his parents and had a “co-dependent” relationship with them.
Magistrate Nunzio La Rosa said it was “by the grace of God” Ralph was standing in court today and not dead.
He said while he was listening to the summary he thought Ralph would surely go to jail however, he was saved by submissions which explained his mental health disorders.
Ralph was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond, disqualified from driving for four years and ordered to make a donation to the court fund.
