Qld: Drowsy driver jailed for accident
By Suzanne Klotz
BRISBANE, Dec 18 AAP - A petrol tanker driver, who caused serious injury to a pregnantwoman by ploughing into her car following 24 hours without sleep, has been jailed forthree months.
Gavin Maxwell Muller pleaded guilty in the District Court in Brisbane to dangerousoperation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.
Judge Brian Hoath delivered a warning to all drowsy drivers, that if they caused anaccident they should expect serious consequences.
Judge Hoath's voice broke with emotion as he said he felt considerable sympathy forMuller but had to jail him for 18 months, suspended after he had served three months.
"Drivers must realise when they drive while tired they are driving grossly irresponsibly,"
Judge Hoath said.
"Transport drivers must be aware the enormous vehicles they control are capable ofcausing enormous damage to human life."
Muller was travelling over the speed limit when he rounded a bend on the Gateway Motorway,at Eagle Farm, on Brisbane's northside, and crashed into a car driven by 22-weeks pregnantSamantha Nutley, at about 5.45pm on December 11, 2000.
He was on the return leg of a round trip to Gladstone in Central Queensland, whichis more than a six-hour drive one-way, and he had left Brisbane at 4pm the previous day.
Muller admitted to police that he had not slept in 24 hours and was feeling "drowsy".
The 47-year-old, who had been a transport driver for 23 years, had an unblemished traffichistory. He attempted to take his own life after the accident and has not worked sincebecause of depression.
Mrs Nutley sustained multiple serious injuries including a fractured skull, and haspermanent problems with her vision, co-ordination, memory and concentration.
She was in a coma for five weeks and in hospital a total of three months, but eventuallygave birth to a healthy baby.
Outside court, Muller's solicitor, Paul Fallu, said the sentence was a fair one asthe community expected a jail term for such an offence.
AAP smk/jhm/drp/de
KEYWORD: MULLER
No comments:
Post a Comment