Toowoomba tradie Johnathon Herbert Rickert faces court after crashing car into tree while drunk

A soon-to-be-dad has been taken off the road after he pleaded guilty to crashing his car into a tree while driving drunk along a suburban Toowoomba street.

Johnathon Herbert Rickert leaving the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on October 30, 2023, after pleading guilty to crashing his car at Rangeville while drunk.

A young Toowoomba man has lost his licence for six months and received a hefty fine after he pleaded guilty to crashing his car while under the influence of alcohol.

Before Johnathon Herbert Rickert entered his guilty plea at Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday, October 30, he told the magistrate he intended to apply for a work licence.

Johnathon Herbert Rickert leaving Toowoomba Magistrates Court on October 30, 2023, after pleading guilty to crashing his car at Rangeville while drunk.

However, magistrate Louise Shephard told the 20-year-old he was not eligible because his blood alcohol reading was high-range – 0.165.

The court was told the apprentice boilermaker crashed his car into a tree at Rangeville at 10.20pm on September 27.

When police arrived, Rickert told officers he was drinking at a friend’s house but decided to go for a cruise before heading home.

The soon-to-be-dad told officers he was unfamiliar with the road and crashed when turning a corner, the court was told.

Johnathon Herbert Rickert.

Ms Shephard said there was “no question” Rickert’s conduct posed a risk to others and himself, “as it came to fruition” that he crashed the vehicle while over the high range alcohol limit.

She noted the young man entered an early guilty plea and had no like history.

Rickert was fined $1050, and a conviction was recorded.