A dangerous high-speed crash in Paddington left a vehicle overturned, caused significant damage, and may result in jail time for the driver responsible.
Crash on Hale Street
The incident occurred on a busy Friday night along Hale Street in Paddington, near Suncorp Stadium. Around 9:30 pm, Tyson Elias Huezo attempted to drive between two cars at high speed, causing a collision that led to a Mitsubishi Pajero flipping multiple times.
The crash happened in an area with moderate traffic, as nearby events brought more vehicles to the road.
According to the Brisbane Magistrates Court, Huezo’s vehicle ricocheted off the Pajero, hit another car, and became airborne. His car landed hundreds of metres further down the road, with all four wheels off the ground during the incident.
Witnesses reported that Huezo drove erratically and well above the 60km/h speed limit.
Major Disruption and Injuries
The crash caused significant disruption to traffic and emergency services were called to the scene. The driver of the Pajero, who sustained serious psychological trauma, was taken to hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, but the incident caused distress and chaos for other motorists.
In court, it was revealed that Huezo had two young passengers in his car at the time of the crash. Despite the severity of the incident, Huezo reportedly showed no remorse when police visited his home 10 days later to discuss the crash. He refused to view the dashcam footage and did not answer any questions from the authorities.
Police prosecutor Bimal Raut provided details of the crash, stating that Huezo’s actions endangered multiple lives and caused considerable damage. He explained that Huezo’s vehicle was travelling at a dangerous speed, leading to the major collision and the flipping of the Pajero.
Guilty Plea and Legal Consequences
In court, Huezo pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. His solicitor, William Kennedy, acknowledged that Huezo had a poor driving history, including two demerit point suspensions. Given the driver’s background, Kennedy argued that imprisonment should be considered a last resort.
However, Magistrate Tina Previtera stated that imprisonment was still “clearly on the table” due to the serious nature of the crash and the need for deterrence. She said the court needed to consider additional information before sentencing, such as the full extent of the injuries, damage caused, and the psychological impact on the victim.
Sentence Delayed for Further Evidence
The sentencing of Huezo was delayed to allow the court to gather more evidence, including dashcam footage, medical reports, and other vital details. Magistrate Previtera made it clear that if the evidence showed severe injuries and significant damage, a jail sentence could be inevitable.
This case raises questions about how dangerous drivers are penalised, especially when their actions lead to significant harm. Huezo’s solicitor argued that imprisonment should only be considered a last resort. This reflects a typical situation where drivers involved in serious incidents may face penalties like fines or licence suspensions, rather than prison time, despite the risks posed to others.
The case was adjourned to October 28.
Published 27-Sept-2024