A teenager celebrating Australia Day got behind the wheel of his ute while drunk to drive a few hundred meters home – but instead crashed into an unmarked police car.
Lachlan Keane, 19, was given a stern warning when he appeared in Darwin Local Court this week saying he was extremely lucky not to hurt anyone while driving.
Keane, originally from Echuca in Victoria but currently based in Darwin for his work as a gunner in the Australian Army, was enjoying drinks at a friend’s house in Palmerston on January 26 when he decided to drive his Toyota HiLux.
On the 500 meter walk home he crashed his vehicle directly into the back of an unmarked patrol car in Bellamack, south of Palmerston.
He was then subjected to a roadside breathalyzer test where he exceeded a BAC reading of 0.206 or four times the legal limit, it reports. The news of the New Testament.
Lachlan Keane, an army gunner, escaped with a 12-month driving ban after he crashed his Toyota HiLux into an unmarked police car while celebrating Australia Day.
The court heard the teenager had never been in trouble with police before and had attended a safe driving course since the accident.
Judge Alan Woolcock said he hoped it would be the last time he would see Keane in court.
“Some young people learn this lesson when they kill or hurt someone,” he said.
Keane’s defense lawyer said his client wanted to continue his career in the military and asked that he not receive a sentence that could affect his prospects.
Judge Woolcock agreed, highlighting his previously “exemplary” character and no conviction was recorded.
Keane was given a 12-month good behavior bond and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
