Family’s crash terror: Young driver Azeem Raymond Gamble was airborne at speed when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed

A mum and dad and their children travelling to the Capricorn Coast went through a terrifying ordeal when a young driver attempting to overtake them lost control and crashed.

Azeem Raymond Gamble, 23, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.

A young driver travelling at speed en route to Yeppoon lost control of his vehicle and crashed into two traffic islands, narrowly missing a car carrying a family.

Azeem Raymond Gamble, 23, who has been a Gladstone resident, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on September 30 to a charge of driving without due care and attention.

The court heard that on July 16, about 6.40pm, Gamble was driving a 2008-model Ford Territory on Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road to Yeppoon when the incident happened.

The prosecution said that Gamble’s driving caused him to lose control of the vehicle “at extreme risk” to another vehicle on the road which contained a husband and wife and their children.

Gamble was driving behind the family’s vehicle but when they approached the Neils Road intersection, Gamble moved into the turning lane to Neils Road.

He then accelerated to be side-by-side with the family’s vehicle.

The dad who was driving the other vehicle told police he was driving about 90kmh at the time.

Gamble got just in front of the family’s vehicle but remained in the turning lane which ultimately has a raised concrete island requiring traffic in this lane to turn onto Neils Road.

Gamble failed to get back into the left lane, continued travelling at speed and drove over the island, colliding with road signs.

The speed and momentum of his vehicle caused it to be airborne, cross the road and hit another concrete island and road sign.

Gamble had no control when his Ford Territory crossed in front of the family’s vehicle.

The other driver had to brake and debris from the road signage hit by Gamble struck the family’s vehicle.

As a result of the incident, Gamble’s car was badly damaged and he travelled a short distance further before stopping on the side of the road.

Gamble, representing himself in court, told Magistrate Cameron Press that he was “not used to” driving in the area.

“I genuinely didn’t know it was a turning lane,” Gamble said.

“The vehicle in front of me was going under the speed limit.

“I thought it was an overtaking lane.

“It was not an overtaking lane, it was a turning lane, which at that point it was too late, Your Honour.”

Mr Press said the incident was a dangerous situation before fining Gamble $600 and disqualifying him from driving for three months.

A traffic conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Family’s crash terror: Young driver Azeem Raymond Gamble was airborne at speed when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed