Serial traffic offender failed to give way, killing beloved grandfather

A traffic control worker with a “very poor” driving history has been sentenced for dangerous operation of a vehicle causing the death of grandfather Ronald Wise at Kingaroy in 2020.

Curtis Dale Hayden.

A traffic control worker with a “very poor” driving history whose car clipped another vehicle sending it into trees and killing the driver had just finished serving the operational period of a suspended sentence for dangerous driving.

Curtis Dale Hayden, 44, on Wednesday was sentenced for dangerous operation of a vehicle causing the death of beloved grandfather Ronald Wise at Kingaroy in 2020.

Brisbane District Court heard that on the afternoon of December 18 Mr Wise, 76, was driving west along Kingaroy Barkers Creek Rd while Hayden was driving north along Redmans Rd.

Where the two roads meet Hayden, who was obliged to give way, “practically stopped” but then proceeded into the intersection before Mr Wise, who lived at Wattlecamp, finished going past him.

“The front of the defendant’s vehicle has clipped the back part of Mr Wise’s vehicle which has led him to lose control and go down an embankment ” Crown prosecutor Noel Needham said.

“It’s quite low speed … it’s not that (Hayden) just careened through the intersection, but unfortunately, after Mr Wise having gone into the bush on the farside of the intersection where his vehicle rolled he has suffered fatal injuries.”

Mr Needham said victim impact statements spoke to the “very real loss” Mr Wise’s death brought to both family and the community.

“He was a contributor in a very positive way to his community and his family. He provided many supports to others,” he said.

“He seems to be one of those fellows who people didn’t realise his grand contribution until it wasn’t there. It’s a terrible tragedy.”

The court heard Hayden had some 96 offences on his traffic history and while on bail for the current charge had racked up about 12 speeding offences.

“It’s a very poor traffic history that has now resulted in the death of a fellow human being,”

Mr Needham said.

Hayden also had a criminal history including for offences of stealing, fraud, possession of tainted property, burglary and also dangerous driving.

In 2019 he was sentenced to six months jail suspended after two months for an 18 month period for dangerous operation of a vehicle over an incident where he tailed gated another vehicle bumper to bumper as they drove towards the police station before he peeled off.

The operational period of that sentence had expired “only very recently” before the collision killing Mr Wise.

In an apology letter Hayden, through his barrister Rob Carroll, said the death of Mr Wise had been in his thoughts since it happened

“I’m so sorry for what occurred that day,” the letter said.

“I would be open to meeting the family of Mr. Wise to apologise in person if that is what they needed as part of the healing process.

“I hope that they can all feel and find peace one day.”

Mr Carroll said Hayden had called triple 0 immediately after the crash and his plea of guilty in February should be treated as timely.

He said Hayden had a “most difficult background” having witnessed his brother’s death as a young child and likely suffered a number of psychiatric conditions over the years including impulsivity, developmental trauma, PTSD, major depressive disorder and alcoholism. These conditions were relevant to his criminal and driving history, Mr Carroll said.

The court heard Hayden worked in the mines for up to six months of the year and then casually as a traffic control worker.

Judge Glen Cash said Hayden, who appeared via video link via Maryborough Correctional Centre, had engaged in “brief period of grossly incompetent driving”.

“The loss of Mr Wise has had a devastating an entirely understandable effect on his family and friends.

“Mr Wise cannot be replaced and the sentence imposed today is in no way a reflection of the value of his life. “

He accepted Hayden was remorseful.

Hayden was sentenced to two years jail suspended from today after having served 106 days in custody however he remains on remand for unrelated matters.

His drivers licence was disqualified for two years.

Originally published as Serial traffic offender failed to give way, killing beloved grandfather