A Townsville man's alcohol-fuelled joyride turned into a community nightmare when he wiped out power to hundreds of residents after slamming into critical infrastructure.
Tonney Shilibwa Aburaka, 24, faced Townsville Magistrates Court this week where the full extent of his dangerous decisions came to light. The court heard how Aburaka's reckless driving on October 7 last year caused widespread disruption across the suburb of Condon.
The Night Everything Went Dark
Prosecutors detailed how Aburaka lost control of his vehicle on Condon Street, careening into an Ergon Energy power pole with such force that it snapped in half. The impact was so severe that it triggered a chain reaction of destruction.
The resulting power outage affected approximately 300 homes and businesses, plunging the area into darkness and disrupting daily life for countless residents.
A Pattern of Dangerous Behaviour
Court documents revealed this wasn't an isolated incident for Aburaka. Just weeks earlier, on September 15, he was caught driving while disqualified in Garbutt - adding to a growing list of traffic offences.
When police finally caught up with him after the power pole crash, they made another alarming discovery. Aburaka returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.131% - more than two and a half times the legal limit.
The Court's Verdict
Magistrate Thomas Braes didn't mince words when delivering the sentence. He described Aburaka's actions as demonstrating "very poor driving behaviour" that put the entire community at risk.
The consequences were severe:
- Two months imprisonment for driving without a licence
- Convictions recorded for all charges
- Disqualified from driving for two years
While Aburaka was granted immediate parole, the conviction and driving ban serve as a stark warning about the consequences of drink driving.
The case highlights the ripple effect that drink driving can have beyond just the immediate danger to road users. When drivers make the decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, they risk creating chaos that affects entire communities - from emergency services to families left without power.
