Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm
A man with an almost spotless traffic history wept in court as it was revealed his momentary lapse in concentration caused a crash that inflicted life-threatening injuries on an unsuspecting motorcyclist.
Police & Courts
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A senior council employee wept as the details of his offender were read out in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court.
Mark Ready, 56, was approaching the West and Taylor streets intersection in a Toowoomba Regional Council-owned Holden Colorado when he was distracted by a light flashing on the vehicle’s dash, on May 7, 2022
The court heard he took his eyes off the road for a moment and did not see that lights had changed.
He struck a motorcyclist, causing the 22-year old rider to be thrown over the handle bars and into Mr Ready’s windscreen.
Police Prosecutor Tim Hutton told the court the victim suffered a broken rib and collar bone, and a collapsed lung.
“Police attended the scene and found the defendant’s vehicle parked nearby,” Senior Sergeant Hutton said.
“He told police that he could not recall seeing the red light signal prior to entering the intersection, he expressed concern for the victim and co-operated with police.”
Paramedics transported the victim to Toowoomba Hospital where he was treated and released three days later.
Sgt Hutton said Ready had expressed remorse during the police investigation.
“When he was told of the victim’s injuries he broke down in tears,” he said.
Defence lawyer Ryan McCullough, of MacDonald Law told the court his client had worked for the Toowoomba Regional Council since 1999 and held a senior position in pest management and conservation.
Prior to the council Ready worked as a park ranger, and volunteered extensively with the Scouts.
Mr Ryan told the court that the crash had profoundly impacted his client.
“It is the case, he was driving, something beeped on the dash, it took him off guard long enough to miss the red light,” he said.
“My client showed immediate remorse, even now he is significantly upset.
“This incident sickens him.”
In sentencing, Magistrate Claire Kelly said she acknowledged Ready’s remorse and the absence of prior offending.
“It was an act of momentary inattention that led to you missing the red light,” she said.
“I hope there is some closure for you.”
After pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, Ready was ordered to pay a $1000 fine and disqualified from holding a licence for six months with no conviction recorded.
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