Darcy Webber fronts Ipswich court for ‘bluntly immature’ act that caused highway crash

An Ipswich couple’s relationship came to an abrupt end after an “immature act” during an argument sent them hurtling off the side of a highway, a court has heard.

Darcy Johnathon Webber (left) with lawyer Michael Kelly outside Ipswich Magistrates' Court on June 15, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An Ipswich woman was driving at full speed along a major highway west of Brisbane when her partner made a “bluntly immature” choice that sent them both hurtling into a tree, a court has heard.

Blackstone painter Darcy Johnathon Webber, 24, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on June 15, 2023, to one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle (domestic violence).

The court heard Webber had been a passenger while his now ex-partner drove along the Brisbane Valley Highway in Fairney View around 4.30pm on September 6, 2022.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella said the couple had been arguing and Webber asked her to stop.

Mr Kinsella said the woman believed there was no safe space to stop, as she was driving at around 100km/hr.

However, he said Webber had disagreed, and had thought there had been safe places to stop.

The court heard Webber yelled at his then-partner and pulled at the handbrake while the car was still travelling at 100km/h.

Mr Kinsella said the car “locked up,” went off the road — narrowly missing a ditch — and came to a rest about 50m away, after hitting a gum tree.

He said Webber’s partner suffered a bruise to her wrist as a result.

Webber remained at the scene and co-operated with police, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Michael Kelly said his client was “clearly agitated and upset” at the time.

He noted police originally believed Webber might be under the influence, but that he had simply been distressed.

Mr Kelly said Webber was a second year apprentice painter and had had no contact with his former partner since the incident.

Mr Kinsella noted Webber had no traffic history and a minor, irrelevant criminal history.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Turnbull acknowledged the offending appeared to be out of character for Webber, but emphasised that a “far more catastrophic outcome” had been possible.

“You simply don’t behave this way. Roads are dangerous enough as it is,” Sgt Turnbull said.

Mr Kinsella called the offending “bluntly immature” and told Webber: “you need to grow some maturity”.

“You put not only yourself, but also your then-partner and perhaps other road users at potential harm,” Mr Kinsella said.

“Throughout this nation, on a daily basis, people get killed, people get hurt, and get maimed … No excuse is going to be good enough.”

Webber was sentenced to 18 months probation and disqualified from driving for six months.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Darcy Webber fronts Ipswich court for ‘bluntly immature’ act that caused highway crash