Drift car went adrift

“IT was a very high-powered vehicle.”

This was a 20-year-old man’s excuse for wrapping his brother’s new car around a power pole.

Arron John Crowhurst pleaded guilty at Gladstone Magistrates Court yesterday to driving without due care and attention.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Mick O’Rourke said police received information about a person, which was Crowhurst, trying to drift a vehicle around corners on Flinders Parade, Gladstone, about 8.05pm on Wednesday, December 22 last year.

He said while drifting Crowhurst hit a power pole.

Sgt O’Rourke told the court the pole was bent 90 degrees and the cement was pulled out of the ground.

He said there were a number of skids marks in the area.

Sgt O’Rourke also said the weather conditions were damp but it was not raining.

Following the crash, he said police spoke to the registered owner of the vehicle, which was Crowhurst’s brother.

Crowhurst said his brother was “very upset” about what had happened.

He said he was still waiting to get a quote on the repairs but said when it came he would be footing the bill.

Crowhurst also said he was changing from second to third gear at the time of the accident.

Magistrate Mark Morrow said: “So you don’t know how to drive a high-powered vehicle. I suppose your brother was happy with you wrapping it (his new car) around a (power pole).”

He said the fact Crowhurst had no history was his “saving grace”.

Magistrate Morrow fined Crowhurst $900 and ordered him to pay $1300 restitution to Gladstone Regional Council.

“You need a (driver’s) licence for work so I won’t take that off you,” he said.

A conviction was recorded.