On 27 October 2025 our client was driving his car along Ryde Road in Pymble during peak hour. Witnesses described him overtaking other cars at high speed, and data from the car’s airbag control module later showed he reached 141km/h in a 70km/h zone.

At the bottom of a hill, the car lost control, crossed the centre median and collided with two oncoming vehicles. One of them, carrying a 13-year-old passenger, rolled onto its roof. Three people were injured, and our client suffered serious spinal fractures requiring surgery.

Police charged our client with six offences:

1. Drive recklessly, furiously or at speed or manner dangerous, contrary to section 117(2) of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW);
2. Drive motor vehicle furiously and do/cause bodily harm, contrary to section 53 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
3. Drive motor vehicle furiously and do/cause bodily harm, contrary to section 53 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
4. Drive motor vehicle furiously and do/cause bodily harm, contrary to section 53 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
5. Negligent driving, contrary to section 117(1)(c) of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW); and
6. Exceed speed over 20 km/h, contrary section 20 of the Road Rules 2014 (NSW).

The maximum penalty for the most serious offence is 2 years imprisonment.

After reviewing the brief of evidence, our Sydney criminal lawyer negotiated with the NSW Police prosecutor. As a result, three of the charges were withdrawn and our client pleaded guilty to the following charges on an amended set of facts.

1. Drive motor vehicle furiously and do/cause bodily harm, contrary to section 53 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
2. Drive motor vehicle furiously and do/cause bodily harm, contrary to section 53 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW); and
3. Drive motor vehicle furiously and do/cause bodily harm, contrary to section 53 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

At sentence, we presented historical medical and psychological evidence of his previously undiagnosed mental health condition (now treated), along with his good driving record, his sincere remorse and the significant personal and financial cost the crash had already caused him.

On 30 September 2026, our client was sentenced at the Hornsby Local Court. At Court, the police prosecutor submitted that no sentence other than full-time imprisonment was appropriate. The magistrate disagreed and our client ultimately received a $500 fine and a Community Corrections Order (CCO) with the only condition that he be of good behaviour.