Mitchell Sullivan: Recidivist Mermaid Waters drink-driver who struck pedestrian avoids jail
A disqualified Gold Coast driver who was more than four times the legal blood-alcohol limit when he mounted a footpath and hit a pedestrian, before striking another vehicle, will remain in the community.
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A recidivist Gold Coast drink-driver who was more than four times the legal blood-alcohol limit and on a disqualified licence when he mowed down and injured a pedestrian on a footpath, before swerving across four lanes of traffic to hit an oncoming vehicle, has avoided jail.
Mermaid Waters man Mitchell Barry Sullivan, 36, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the July 30, 2024 incident.
He admitted to driving under the influence of liquor (i.e. high-range), disqualified driving, dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, and possessing dangerous drugs.
At about 6.30pm on the day in question, a Tuesday, police were called to reports of a serious traffic incident at the intersection of Oceanic Drive and Sunshine Blvd, Mermaid Waters, police prosecutor Sergeant Blair Casey told the court.
Witnesses reported a motorist who appeared heavily intoxicated had driven on to the footpath on Oceanic Drive, striking a female pedestrian, before careening across four lanes of traffic to hit an oncoming vehicle.
The pedestrian suffered injuries including a fractured hip, while the other driver suffered whiplash-type injuries.
Sergeant Casey said Sullivan’s vehicle was littered with empty XXXX Bitter cans and a rolled joint of cannabis was plainly visible on the dashboard.
The defendant reeked of alcohol, his speech was slurred and repetitive, and his eyes were bloodshot, all of which led police to conclude he was “grossly intoxicated”, Sergeant Casey said.
The defendant subsequently returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.206 per cent – more than four times the legal limit.
Shockingly, this was Sullivan’s fifth conviction for drink-driving – and in fact at the time of the incident, his licence was disqualified for drink-driving.
Sergeant Casey submitted Sullivan should be sentenced to 18 months to two years’ imprisonment, to serve one-third before being released on parole.
He tendered several comparable cases from the higher courts in which people younger than Sullivan, with far better driving records, and fewer injuries caused by their actions, were ordered to serve actual time before being released on various orders.
Defence lawyer Mollie Roper submitted Sullivan should be released on immediate parole, in light of his strenuous efforts at rehabilitation, which included a 12-week inpatient rehabilitation stint via Lives Lived Well, and ongoing consultations with a variety of medical professionals.
His rehabilitation had revealed the previously undiagnosed presence of bipolar disorder, Ms Roper said.
“My client said this morning rehab was something he should’ve done 10 years ago,” she told the court.
Magistrate Jane Bentley responded: “I’m sure the people he hit think that as well.”
Ms Roper told the court her client came from a good family and lived a largely blameless life until 2015, when he suffered a serious eye injury and had to cease employment as a plumber, which he had previously taken pride in.
He subsequently lost his marriage and his home as his drinking and drug use ramped up, Ms Roper added.
She said Sullivan was willing to pay $5000 compensation to the pedestrian he struck.
Magistrate Bentley said she would have ordered Sullivan serve actual time but for the offer of compensation.
She imprisoned him for 18 months with immediate court-ordered parole, disqualified him from driving for three years, and ordered he pay the pedestrian $5000 compensation.
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Originally published as Mitchell Sullivan: Recidivist Mermaid Waters drink-driver who struck pedestrian avoids jail
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