Rhyan James Garwood a ‘graphic’ example of the risk of drug driving

A motorcyclist injured in a crash involving an ambulance has been confined to a wheelchair since an eight-month stint in hospital. Now, he’s been punished by the court for causing the collision. SENTENCE >>

A MAN who was “flung” from his motorcycle in a crash involving an ambulance is a graphic example of the risk of drug and drink driving, a magistrate has said.

Rhyan James Garwood, who has been confined to a wheelchair since an eight-month stint in hospital, was convicted of drug driving on Wednesday.

The Northern Tasmanian man was sentenced in Launceston Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to one count of stealing, two counts of driving an unregistered motor vehicle, two counts of drug driving, four counts of driving unlicensed, and two counts of driving with no premium cover.

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The court heard Garwood’s red Honda motorcycle and an ambulance travelling to an emergency collided in Moonah on December 26, 2018.

Garwood was “flung off his motorcycle” and knocked unconscious.

He was treated at the scene by the paramedics, who were unable to attend the emergency they were travelling to.

Police initially charged him with failure to give way to an emergency service vehicle, but dismissed the charge.

Blood tests showed Garwood had traces of Ice, MDMA and THC in his blood at the time of the crash.

He had already been charged with drug driving, driving unlicensed and driving unregistered after being intercepted by police twice earlier that month.

Defence lawyer Mark Doyle said the crash and the physical toll of it had been profound and life changing.

Magistrate Stanton said the risk in Garwood’s driving offences was demonstrated “most graphically by the effect on him”.

He said he did not need to do anything but impose the minimum penalty.

Magistrates Stanton convicted and fined Garwood $672 and disqualified him from driving for six months backdated to 2018 over the driving offences.

Garwood was also convicted and fined $500 for stealing two rings from the mother of his first child.

He was ordered to pay compensation for one of the rings that was melted down after being sold to Cash Converters.