Sergeant Peter Edwards: QPS officer in drunken crash on Bruce Highway near Townsville

A magistrate was audibly shocked when told the blood-alcohol reading of a respected Queensland police officer who crashed on the Bruce Highway.

Sergeant Peter John Edwards of Queensland Police Service (QPS) Northern Region pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday to the sole charge of driving under the influence of liquor (UIL) following a single-vehicle crash at Bluewater in Townsville on April 11. Picture: Cameron Bates

A highly regarded Queensland Police Service officer was so drunk when he crashed his car on the Bruce Highway that a magistrate was audibly shocked when told the blood-alcohol reading.

Sergeant Peter John Edwards, 56, of QPS Northern Region pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday to the sole charge of driving under the influence of liquor (UIL) following the crash at Bluewater in Townsville about midday on April 11.

“Ooh! That’s a very high reading,” Magistrate Smid said of the 0.266 BAC result, well over five times the legal alcohol limit.

QPS prosecutor Danny Burke said Edwards’ vehicle, the only vehicle involved in the incident, “veered off the highway and struck a guardrail of the bridge at Bluewater Creek.”

Defence Lawyer Bede Mellick of Cairns-based Mellick & Smith Solicitors appeared by phone, furnishing the court with a number of documents and character references.

Sergeant Peter John Edwards outside the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Mellick said his client had won a number of awards during his police service.

He also noted that his client had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due the nature of his work and length of service as a front-line QPS cop.

The narrow Bluewater Creek bridge on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham. Magistrate Peter Smid told Sergeant Peter John Edwards of Queensland Police Service that he was fortunate only a single vehicle was involved in the accident.

Magistrate Smid summarised the defence’s mitigating arguments: “I think what you are saying is that Mr Edwards is a police officer of the highest integrity, professionalism, competence and is held in high regard throughout the police service and through all ranks of police officers, including assistant commissioners, superintendents and detective sergeants.

“And your client, like so many police officers, was exposed to traumatic incidents, the stresses of it all played a part; some people can withstand it or pretend they do or seek to be able to but it has manifested itself in your client and he’s fallen victim.”

Magistrate Smid noted that Edwards had a minor traffic record, which Mr Mellick said included a speeding fine from 2019.

The lawyer said the accident had served as a catalyst for his client who had undergone an intensive two-week treatment program in its aftermath.

Sergeant Peter John Edwards of Queensland Police Service (QPS) Northern Region outside the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Mellick said that in addition to the court sentencing, Edwards was also facing disciplinary action from QPS, punishment that could range from dismissal to a reprimand, but most likely a suspension from full front-line service.

Edwards was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for eight months.

Mr Mellick was floored when Magistrate Smid agreed with his recommendation not to record a conviction

“Your Honour’s pulled the blanket out from underneath me.”

Edwards was visibly moved.

“I can see the anguish on your face,” Magistrate Smid said, “this has been a very dreadful incident for you but fortunately there were no other victims in its wake other than yourself.”

QPS confirmed on Thursday that Edwards, who was not on duty at the time of the crash, had been suspended from duty since the incident.

Originally published as Sergeant Peter Edwards: QPS officer in drunken crash on Bruce Highway near Townsville