An intoxicated man who crashed an unregistered motorcycle in Cranebrook has been disqualified from driving for six months.
Michael Bainbridge, 30, fronted Penrith Local Court on Monday, February 27, charged with ‘drive with high range PCA’.
“I made a silly mistake,” he told Magistrate Stephen Corry.
“I almost died as a result”.
At around 8pm in August last year, Bainbridge was riding an unregistered motorcycle with no safety lights or warning devices fitted.
According to police, he was riding along Greygums Road in all black clothing when he collided with another vehicle at the intersection.
As a result of the impact and the accused’s lack of protection, he was instantly rendered unconscious.
It is alleged that the motorbike instantly caught fire after being struck and a witness was seen dragging Bainbridge out of the flames.
Police say he was treated for critical injuries and transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he underwent mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
They allegedly obtained drug and alcohol vile which later returned a positive result of 0.181 grams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
The court heard that the accused is waiting for a clearance to return to work after sustaining a brain injury.
He told the Magistrate that he has no recollection of the incident, which is consistent with court documents.
“That nearly killed you,” Magistrate Corry said.
“There needs to be a conviction”.
Bainbridge has been disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to fit a mandatory interlock device to his vehicle for 24 months when he returns to the road.
Formerly with the ABC, Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University. She covers a variety of news topics for the Weekender, including courts.
