Toowoomba man James Andrew Batchler, 46, pleads guilty to evading police, driving under the influence

A man who led police on a chaotic car chase down the Bruce Highway had his hopes of escape thwarted when a truck ran over his leg.

James Andrew Batchler outside Toowoomba Courthouse on Tuesday October 1, 2024. Picture: Chronicle/ NewsCorp Australia

A man has faced court yet again after leading police on a dangerous drug-fuelled chase down Queensland’s busiest highway.

Toowoomba man James Andrew Batchler, 46, pleaded guilty to seven charges before a Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday after taking police on a dramatic drug-fuelled highway chase, only ending when a truck ran over his leg.

The wild escapade unfolded on June 11, 2022 near Yandina on the Bruce Highway.

“The driver turned into the middle of the two southbound lanes and ploughed his way between stopped vehicles, causing damage,” Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said.

“As police approached, he took advantage of the fact that motorists were moving off the highway … and sped through the path made by the motorists.

“(Eventually he) stopped, the defendant exited the driver’s seat and ran south along the middle of the south bound lanes.”

Police followed on foot for 200 metres, ultimately apprehending the escapee but not before an unfortunate encounter with a passing truck.

“He’s opened the front passenger door of the truck and attempted to get in,” Constable Willson said.

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

“The truck driver took evasive action which caused him to fall from the passenger door … as the truck driver drove away (he ran) over the defendant’s upper leg causing minor injuries.”

That morning, Mr Batchler was caught stealing petrol, a coffee drink and a carton of milk from two separate businesses.

Upon his arrest, it was found he had a number of illegal and prescribed drugs in his system, including amphetamines.

Earlier this year, Mr Batchler also pleaded guilty to related offences in Maroochydore District Court, namely dangerous driving while adversely affected and calling in a bomb hoax to escape hospital admission following his arrest.

He received 23 months imprisonment with immediate parole and was disqualified from driving for 30 months.

Solicitor Chris Neville from Condon Charles Lawyers said his client had worked hard to improve his mental health.

“At the time all of this occurred he had gone off his medication regime,” Mr Neville said.

“He was arrested on that day and then he was hospitalised and hospitalised for about six weeks.

“To his credit in my submission, since that time I don’t there’s any further offending and since then he is seen to be compliant with his treatment regime.”

Magistrate Mark Howden ruled in favour of a fine due to Mr Batchler’s previous proceedings in district court.

“(These offences), they’re all part of the same incident, they could have all been dealt with at the same time and I don’t think it would have impacted the judge’s sentence, other than the evasion charge,” he said.

Mr Batchler was formally charged with two counts of stealing and one count each of obstructing a police officer, evading an offence, driving under the influence of liquor, possessing dangerous drugs and contravening a police direction.

He was fined $8065 for evading police and disqualified from driving for 2 years and 6 months.