Clifton Jonas, 70, pleads guilty to dangerous driving in Norlane crash

A pensioner and father of seven whose dangerous driving led to a crash at a busy Norlane intersection that put two cyclists in hospital has learned his fate.

Clifton Jonas appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 20.

A pensioner and father of seven whose dangerous driving led to a Norlane crash that put two cyclists in hospital has been convicted and fined.

Clifton Jonas, 70, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday to one count of driving in a dangerous manner – all other charges were withdrawn by the prosecution.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Denise Frame told the court Jonas was driving his Nissan Pulsar south on Melbourne Rd, near the former Ford factory, on August 22 last year when ignored a no-turning sign.

At the intersection, Jonas attempted a left turn from the centre lane and was T-boned by a white Mitsubishi travelling in a slip lane.

The force of the collision caused Jonas’ vehicle to mount the kerb and hit a set of traffic lights.

Clifton Jonas, 70, has been sentenced over the 2022 crash along Melbourne Rd. Picture: Alan Barber

Four cyclists were also struck, with two taken to Geelong hospital for treatment.

One cyclist had to remain in hospital for three days.

Constable Frame said Jonas was questioned by police on September 8, 2022 and told police he was “not going to make up stories” and simply hadn’t seen the signage despite living in the area for more than two decades.

Jonas’ lawyer, Simon Northeast, said his client would pay a fine but would have to do so “somewhat slowly” due to financial hardship.

Mr Northeast said Jonas had no formal high school education and had been employed his whole adult life – most recently at the Winchester Factory – and now received a pension,

Constable Frame indicated there were no victim impact statements from the cyclists, however she told the court that when the victims asked Jonas to pay for the damage to their bikes, he said he “wasn’t going to give them anything” and claimed “he was a victim, he got T-boned”.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said Jonas had seemingly changed his mind, having entered a guilty plea.

“You were not the victim in this matter,” she said.

Ms Hodgson said that it was a “very serious example” of dangerous driving as “people were significantly injured and property damage occurred”.

Ms Hodgson said that despite a lack of victim impact statements, she had no doubt as to the “mental anguish and trauma” the incident left on the cyclists.

Ms Hodgson said that Jonas had a “poor driving history” and “hasn’t had a lot of regard for road rules” although she noted most of the offences were historical.

Jonas either had a “lapse or lack of regard for those signs” indicating he couldn’t turn, Ms Hodgson said, adding: “They’re there for a reason.”

Jonas had his licence disqualified for nine months, three months “beyond” the mandatory minimum.

He was convicted and fined $1500, and also ordered to pay more than $1500 in compensation towards the victims.

Originally published as Clifton Jonas, 70, pleads guilty to dangerous driving in Norlane crash