James Batchler pleads guilty to dangerous meth driving on Bruce Hwy at Yandina

A drugged-up driver thought he was in a video game when he rammed cars on the Bruce Hwy, before making a bomb threat to effect his escape from hospital to meet a world-famous singer.

James Andrew Batchler leaving Maroochydore District Court on Friday. Picture: Sam Turner

A Newtown man has told police he felt like he was in a simulation of the video game Grand Theft Auto when he rammed three cars in a meth rampage on the Sunshine Coast.

Three motorists had to take evasive action on the Bruce Hwy due to the ice-fuelled actions of James Andrew Batchler.

Details of his horror drive across a 38km stretch starting at Yandina were heard in the Maroochydore District Court on Friday after the 44-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving while adversely affected and calling in a bomb hoax.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the Newtown man was on a “meth binge” in the days leading up to June 11, 2022 when he drove his vehicle south on the Bruce Hwy about 12.45pm.

He pleaded guilty to two charges. Picture: Sam Turner

Mr Stark said Batchler, who later described to police driving his car “out of [his] mind”, travelled dangerously behind three cars, one being driven by an off-duty officer.

In what Batchler said “felt like a simulation like Grand Theft Auto the video game”, he rammed the vehicles while in the overtaking lane, forcing the vehicles into the left hand lane.

The court was told there was only limited damage to the motorists’ rear bumpers and no injuries for them over the 28-minute caper.

Batchler, however, was not so lucky when his escapade came to a stop.

Mr Stark said he fled from police until a truck ran over his leg.

Still mentally affected by his crystal meth bender, the 45-year-old was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he stayed until June 19, 2022.

Mr Stark said Batchler asked hospital staff if he could use a phone to call his mother, but instead he phoned 000.

While on the phone the Newtown man told the emergency operator there was a bomb in the Birtinya hospital before he hung up.

James Andrew Batchler leaving Maroochydore District Court on August 16, 2024. Picture: Sam Turner

The Crown prosecutor said this was treated very seriously, with police being called while five ambulances were diverted from the emergency department.

The bomb hoax was tracked back to Batchler who said he hoped the threat would result in the hospital evacuating.

Mr Stark said Batchler had a plan to flee the hospital and catch a flight to America so he could attend an Avril Lavigne concert so she could “notice him”.

Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown said Batchler was diagnosed with a mental disorder after this offending, which he was now being treated for.

Mr Ygoa-McKeown said the 44-year-old lived in Toowoomba where he abstains from meth and he planned to move interstate to be closer to his parents.

Judge Michael Byrne accepted there was remorse from Batchler, and highlighted the man’s period of sobriety.

He opted not to send Batchler to jail, and sentenced him to 23 months’ imprisonment but gave him immediate parole.

The Newtown man was also disqualified from driving for two and a half years.

Originally published as James Batchler pleads guilty to dangerous meth driving on Bruce Hwy at Yandina