Daniel William Schimke, North Booval, faces Ipswich Court for fleeing three car pileup, dangerous driving

A former bank manager fled police and abandoned an elderly driver in need of medical attention after causing a three-car pileup while over four times the alcohol limit.

Daniel William Schimke, 53, leaving Ipswich Court on March 5. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A former bank manager has faced court for fleeing the scene of a three-car pileup he caused while driving over four times the alcohol limit.

The Ipswich Magistrates’ Court heard Daniel William Schimke, 53, left an elderly driver in need of medical attention and landed himself in another crash moments later in his desperate attempt to avoid capture.

The North Booval resident pleaded guilty on March 5 to dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, driving under the influence of liquor, failing to remain at an incident an render assistance, failing to wear a properly fitted seatbelt, and two counts of failing to comply with the duties of a driver involved in a crash.

Police prosecutor Nanette Green said Schimke had crashed into the back of a stationary car on July 13, 2023, at an intersection near King Edward Parade.

The court heard the force pushed that car forward into the intersection, causing it to collide with another car.

Senior constable Green said the driver of that car, in his 70s, was taken to hospital with whiplash and neck pain.

When police arrived at the scene, they watched as Schimke got back into his car and drove away, the court heard.

But he came upon another police vehicle coming from the other direction and swerved off the road.

Senior constable Green said Schimke crashed into a Queensland Rail fence near the tracks, just as a train was going past.

“It could have been a completely different offence,” she said.

The court heard Schimke had to be forcibly removed from his car.

He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.21 – over four times the legal alcohol limit.

Senior Constable Green said it would be appropriate for Schimke to serve some time in actual custody, as he had a previous drink driving conviction on his history in 2016.

But defence lawyer Matt Gemmell said there would be no utility in putting his client in actual custody.

He said Schimke was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which reduced his ability to make rational decisions.

Schimke had also been struggling at the time of the offending as his dad was battling cancer, Mr Gemmell said.

Schimke had completed a traffic offenders program since his offending, and acknowledged he had been misusing alcohol for sporadic periods.

The court heard Schimke had spent 28 years working as a bank manager but more recently had been unemployed on a disability pension.

Magistrate Jason Schubert sentenced Schimke to 12 months jail, wholly suspended for two years.

Schimke was also ordered to serve 24 months probation, and his licence was disqualified for six months and 12 months.

Originally published as Daniel William Schimke, North Booval, faces Ipswich Court for fleeing three car pileup, dangerous driving