By BEN CAMERON
A MAN guilty of “grossly negligent” driving which left a Cockatoo woman with “life-changing injuries” has been sentenced to four years’ jail.
Jason Christopher Johnson pleaded guilty to three charges of causing serious injury negligently which left his three passengers with serious injuries.
The County Court heard on 30 July 2013, around 7.30pm the 34-year-old was driving along Bourkes Creek Road in Pakenham Upper, a “narrow, unmade and unlit road that was surrounded by trees” , towards passenger Jessica Wheller’s home in Cockatoo.
As Mr Johnson, originally from Queensland, approached the corner of Bourkes Creek and Matters roads, he completed two and a half burnouts and then “deliberately began fishtailing down the road”.
The court heard in February passengers Jayde Wellington and Ms Wheller were scared and yelled for Mr Johnson to stop.
He then lost control of the car and crashed into a tree.
Ms Wheller suffered fractures to her vertebrae, seven rib fractures, a liver laceration and a renal laceration while Ms Wellington suffered fractures to her left ribs, fractures to her vertebrae and a perforated bowel.
Justice Paul Douglas Grant said Ms Wheller’s life had been severely affected by Mr Johnson’s “criminal behaviour”, and has suffered from stress, anxiety and ongoing back pain that is likely to affect her for the rest of her life.
“The offending is serious with two of the victims suffering serious life- changing injuries,” he said.
Mr Johnson and Bradlee Dunn, who was in the passenger seat, were able to get out of the car however, with Mr Dunne suffering an upper arm fracture.
Mr Johnson, who suffered a broken thumb and a fractured knee cap, was found to have cannabis in his blood, which was deemed a “contributing factor to your negligence” by Justice Grant.
He was arrested and interviewed on 9 December 2013, and made a full admission to police.
Justice Grant said driving conditions were no excuse for the accident.
“It was dark. You were fatigued. Notwithstanding the difficult conditions, you drove in a grossly negligent manner by performing burnouts and fishtailing down the road,” he said.
“It is no excuse to say that Mr Dunne was ‘egging you on’.
“The two women in the back of the car were yelling for you to stop.
“You took no notice of their pleas and your driving put them in fear.”
Mr Johnson was sentenced to four years’ jail, fined $500, had his license cancelled and is disqualified from driving for four years. He will be eligible for parole in two years.
“I accept that you are very sorry for what you have done. Your remorse is genuine,” Justice Grant said.
