By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An alleged ice-affected driver has told a court he couldn’t remember how his car with a flat rear tyre repeatedly swerved across the road before crashing in Upper Beaconsfield.
Christopher James Dike was on bail and driving unlicensed at the time of the crash on 20 August.
He unsuccessfully re-applied for bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 August.
Before the incident, another driver followed Dike’s Astra from Beaconsfield shopping centre and noted the car had no number plates and a flat rear tyre, police informant Sergeant Christopher Hayes told the court.
The witness saw the Astra erratically veering off the road and crossing lanes, including double-white lines on a blind corner, Sgt Hayes said.
At one stage, vehicles were forced to take evasive action as Dike turned onto Lewis Road, Upper Beaconsfield, the court heard.
The car crashed into a tree and then continued travelling into an embankment.
Dike was arrested at the scene with a small bag of methamphetamine and $220 cash, Sgt Hayes said.
The accused had told police he’d used ‘ice’ that morning, the court was told.
“He said he was addicted to it and wished he wasn’t,” Sgt Hayes said.
In a police interview that day, Dike denied knowledge about an alleged car theft and petrol drive-off in May.
Dike’s DNA was allegedly detected on a can of ‘V’ later found in the recovered vehicle, Sgt Hayes said.
Police opposed bail because Dike showed no concern for community safety, was unlikely to appear at court and didn’t have a suitable address.
Dike told the court he had no memory of the accident or the state of the car.
“I haven’t denied anything that happened yesterday… I only saw I had an accident.
“The last thing I remember was waking up in a ditch.”
He wanted bail because “I need help” for drug and mental health issues.
He’d tried to help himself “out of the gutter” by getting a job, working with a psychologist and applying for rehab, he said.
“I don’t like who I am,” Dike said.
“I’ve got nobody now.
“I’ve worked hard the last month and a bit to get myself on the right track.
“Going into prison will pull me back even further.”
Dike had been placed on bail at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for theft, proceeds of crime, driving and failing to answer bail offences in April and May.
He had also told police he’d just been released from a five-year jail term in 2016, Sgt Hayes said.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen noted the allegations were serious, including driving a car in “incredibly poor condition” and “all over the road”.
Dike’s application was rejected because the risk was too high to other motorists, Mr Vandersteen said.
The accused was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 6 September.
