Toowoomba dad crashes on Warrego Highway driver, blows .228

A Toowoomba Court heard when a man crashed his car along a major regional highway he was more than five times the legal limit, and the next day he again got behind the wheel of a car while drunk.

A Toowoomba man told a court he would be returning to India to get his drinking under control after he caused a single vehicle crash on the Warrego Highway while five times over the legal limit.

The next night, he was found slumped over the steering wheel of a car with the keys in the ignition – his blood alcohol concentration was .205.

On Wednesday, January 31, Mandeep Singh Baniwal fronted the Toowoomba Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, and being in charge of a vehicle while intoxicated.

Police prosecutor Julia Wheaton said the crash occurred on the Warrego Highway at Minden at 5.30pm on October 6, and on October 7 Baniwal was found passed out behind the wheel at Stumm Street, Kearneys Spring.

The Toowoomba court heard Mandeep Singh Baniwal was more than five times the legal limit when he crashed a car along the Warrego Highway, endangering the lives of others, and himself. Picture: News Regional Media

Ms Wheaton said concerned members of the public had called police, and when officers arrived, they struggled to wake him.

The car was not running.

Magistrate Mark Howden asked for more details regarding the crash along the highway, however none could be provided to the court.

Mr Holden said Baniwal’s actions caused a significant risk to road users, and himself, noting the courts rarely saw BAC readings akin to his, which was 0.288 per cent.

Solicitor Joe McConnell told the court the 34-year-old had a significant drinking problem and was returning to India to receive support from his loved ones.

However, Mr McConnell noted if a conviction was recorded his permanent visa may be at risk, noting Baniwal planned to return to Australia once sober to be a better father to his children.

He said Mr Baniwal acted out of character, and fell back into alcohol addiction after suffering a multitude of hardships which included the breakdown of his marriage, financial stress, and excessive work hours.

Magistrate Howden said given the extremely serious nature of the charges, he would be recording a conviction.

Mr Howard told Baniwal, that if it was not for his plan to return to India he would be placed on a probation order, however given the circumstances a large fine would be imposed instead.

Baniwal was fined $2000 and disqualified from obtaining a driver’s licence for one year and two months.