Young Gladstone driver on GHB wrote off $80k car in crash

A court has heard how a young Central Queensland driver would have been “significantly impaired” by the amount of a drug in his system, the night he crashed his $80,000 car and wrote it off.

Lachlan Kelvin Warren (inset) faced Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 22.

A young Central Queensland driver would have been “significantly impaired” by the level of a depressant drug in his system, the night he crashed his $80,000 car and wrote it off, a court has heard.

Lachlan Kelvin Warren, 24, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 22 to dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said Warren’s offending happened “over a prolonged period of time” on June 23.

She said it started on Breslin Street, Gladstone, and continued for 15km-20km to the Gladstone - Benaraby Road roundabout, which connects to Boyne Island.

“It was 9.40pm and police received a number of Triple-0 calls from concerned motorists about the driving manner of (Warren’s) vehicle,” Sgt Griffiths said.

The prosecutor said witnesses reported Warren driving on the wrong side of the road, driving highly erratically, as well as at speed and slowing down “in an unsafe manner”.

Warren’s vehicle ultimately left the road, went over a median strip and a “keep left” sign, and hit a light pole.

“The collision snapped the light pole which has ended up across the roadway,” Sgt Griffiths said.

The court heard that police had taken statements from a number of witnesses and there was “great concern” from other road users about Warren’s driving.

“What is also concerning is the level of GHB (155mg per litre of blood) in his system at the time of the crash,” Sgt Griffiths said.

“Warren was described by police (on scene) as being dazed, confused, unable to answer questions and self-reported falling asleep prior to the crash.”

Lachlan Kelvin Warren (inset) pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

The prosecution tendered a statement from a doctor who said in his opinion, that level of GHB would have “significantly impaired” Warren’s ability to control the vehicle.

The court heard that Warren had only one offence on his traffic history (speeding) and he had no criminal history.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said Warren was using GHB to self-medicate for insomnia.

Ms Ditchfield said Warren had a Bachelor of Science, majoring in chemistry, which he obtained from Monash University.

The solicitor said Warren had experienced sleeping difficulties for a long period of time and he had tried doctor-prescribed medication which had not helped him.

“He has, based upon his knowledge from his degree, looked at what he could use with the least amount of time in his system, that would also be effective in solving the problem,” Ms Ditchfield said.

“Unfortunately what was not anticipated was the effect of prolonged use ... he’s found out the hard way.”

Ms Ditchfield said Warren had written off his $80,000 car in the crash and at the time, he only had about $3000 or $4000 left to pay on the loan for it.

She said Warren had recently been offered a full-time job as a lab technician, and his father and step-mother were in court to support him.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan placed Warren on two years’ probation and disqualified him from driving for nine months.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Young Gladstone driver on GHB wrote off $80k car in crash