A South Australian judge has spared a drunk and speeding driver from jail, instead urging him to become a road safety ambassador for his friends. Cameron Massey, 22, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Mitchell Harris by dangerous driving after crashing into palm trees in suburban Adelaide in March.
Massey had a blood alcohol reading of 0.121 and was driving between 122 and 162 km/h in a 60 km/h zone when he lost control of a V8 ute. The vehicle struck two palm trees on a median strip, flipped multiple times, and hit a third tree 94 metres from the first.
Judge Paul Rice jailed Massey for four years with a non-parole period of 18 months, but suspended the term and placed him on a $500 three-year good behaviour bond. The judge noted that the victim, Mitchell Harris, was not seriously injured and supported Massey's release.
In his ruling, Judge Rice said Massey was "not a ratbag" and urged him to act as a road safety ambassador. "What really kept you out of jail was the fact that Mitchell Harris was not particularly injured," the judge said. Massey had no prior convictions and was described as contrite with a good work record.
