Keith Norman Middleton, 23, denied bail after alleged drug-fuelled crash leaves him in coma

A prosecutor says he hopes the Nanango man, who has already been sentenced to jail for dodgy driving a shocking 13 times, goes to the dentist so when he ‘inevitably kills himself in a car accident’ police can identify him by his dental records.

A prosecutor has bestowed the title of “South Burnett’s worst driver” on a Nanango man after his latest alleged drug driving escapade nearly took his life and left him in a coma for weeks.

Keith Norman Middleton, 23, was flown to Brisbane Hospital on July 2 after a serious car crash on the Bunya Highway in Wondai.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said Mr Middleton was reportedly witnessed “nearly falling asleep at the wheel” before the horror crash.

This is clearly the South Burnett’s worst traffic offender. There’s no doubt about that,” Sergeant Stevens said.

Magistrate John Smith denied Mr Middleton’s application for bail due to the Nanango man’s extensive traffic history.

Sergeant Stevens said the 23-year-old had been sentenced to jail 13 times in the past four years and convicted of disqualified driving on 16 occasions, along with another four for dangerous operation of a vehicle and seven times for evading police.

Mr Middleton was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving under the influence of drugs, driving without a licence, driving an unregistered and uninsured car, and using number plates registered to another vehicle after the near-fatal crash.

He was also hit with a string of possession charges after police allegedly found meth, buprenorphine, cash payments from supplying drugs, digital scales and clip sealed bags, a spoon and lighter, and a hypodermic syringe.

Mr Middleton is facing a further charge of possessing buprenorphine from May 21 at Murgon.

“My respectful submission is that this court would have no confidence that this (man) will not commit further offences on bail, and no confidence this (man) will not endanger the safety and welfare of the community and himself,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“My only hope is that he continually goes to the dentist, so when the inevitable happens and he kills himself in a car accident we can identify him by dental records.”

Lawyer Jay Rose said Mr Middleton had a troubling record of using methamphetamine and cannot remember the crash.

He was denied bail and is next due to appear in Murgon Magistrates Court on October 26.

Originally published as Keith Norman Middleton, 23, denied bail after alleged drug-fuelled crash leaves him in coma