Following an all-night New Year’s celebration, a 34-year-old man took his son on a perilous motorbike ride. Affected by drugs and without a license, the man placed his four-year-old between himself and the bike’s handlebars. The child wore an oversized helmet and lacked proper protective gear.
On January 1, 2022, they encountered a 4WD that didn’t yield, resulting in a crash north of Brisbane. Both were thrown from the motorcycle, even though the bike was below the speed limit. The collision left the child critically injured, diagnosed with “impending brain death” and a traumatic brain injury, leading to lasting impairments.
Tests revealed the man was under the influence of methamphetamine. He also had a machete, lacked a valid license, and the motorbike was unregistered. After a confrontational episode at the hospital, he fled and was later found at his sister’s residence.
Judge Paul Smith commented on the significant drug influence on the accident, stating, “I find your dangerous operation was a substantial cause of this.”
The man, with a challenging past and history of substance abuse, showed remorse and submitted a written apology. Having pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm under intoxication in that reckless motorcycle ride, he was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail and was disqualified from driving for five years.
Did you or a loved one suffer a traumatic brain injury from an accident? Every second counts. Reach out to the Brain Injury Help Center to defend your rights and file a legal claim. Your path to justice starts now. Call us for a free consultation.
