Luke Russell Harvey flees Gympie crash scene in good Samaritan’s car

A man has been slammed by the court after he stole a car that had pulled up to help when he was involved in a high speed collision near Gympie which the left the other driver trapped.

Luke Russell Harvey, from Caloundra, pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court to failing to stay and render assistance following a serious crash he was involved in at Lower Wonga in March 2022.

A Sunshine Coast man has been lashed for lacking “common humanity” after he fled the scene of a serious crash in a bystander’s car.

Luke Russell Harvey, of Caloundra, faced Gympie Magistrates Court by videolink on Tuesday over one remaining charge stemming from a shocking Wide Bay Hwy crash in March 2022.

The court heard Harvey was driving along the highway near Lower Wonga when his car collided with another vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle was left trapped in the wreckage.

Police prosecutor Christie Mahoney said instead of helping the man, Harvey stole a bystander’s vehicle and fled the scene.

The 38-year-old was sentenced to three years’ jail for those crimes in Brisbane District Court on September 22, 2023.

He pleaded guilty at that appearance to seven counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts of stealing, three charges over break-and-enters, and one count of wilful damage.

Harvey was also disqualified from driving for two years.

On Tuesday, in Gympie, he pleaded guilty to the remaining charge of failing to remain at the scene and render assistance.

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Luke Russell Harvey appeared in Gympie Magistrates Court by videolink, having already been sentenced to jail in Brisbane District Court on September 22, 2023.

Sgt Mahoney said despite Harvey already being jailed until at least June 16, 2024, under the law anyone found to have shown “callous disregard” for someone injured in an incident was required to be given jail time.

This was the case with Harvey.

“Ultimately rather than assisting (the victim) he has committed the other offences,” Sgt Mahoney said.

Harvey’s defence lawyer, appearing by phone, told the court the 38-year-old had grown up in a climate of abuse and had turned to drugs at a young age as a result.

He now had cancer, once believed to be in remission but having returned and leaving him in need of chemotherapy, the court heard.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes agreed Harvey had acted with “callous disregard” and lacked “common humanity”.

“You were only focused on yourself,” he said.

“Not only do you have a legal duty to stay and render assistance … but it’s just common humanity.”

He sentenced Harvey to one month jail, to be served at the same time as his District Court sentence.

Harvey remains eligible for parole in June 2024.

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Originally published as Luke Russell Harvey flees Gympie crash scene in good Samaritan’s car