A DISQUALIFIED driver who crashed his car into a tree spun a wild story to police about being kidnapped as he slept in the back of the vehicle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Joel William Burkitt, 29, had had his licence cancelled in the Wodonga Magistrates’ Court for 12 months in late March 2015.
He still had 17 days of disqualification to go when he drove the Mitsubishi Magna on the Kiewa Valley Highway in Kergunyah on March 7 this year.
He was driving south about 2am when he veered off the road into dirt, over-corrected, slammed the brakes on and hit a big gum tree.
The impact caused significant damage to the front of the car and Burkitt grazed his forehead and bruised his neck.
A witness stopped to check on him nearly four hours later and Burkitt told her two men had stolen his car while he was asleep with his dog in the back seat at Kookaburra Point.
They had run off after crashing the car, he told her, and he was drinking while waiting for someone to pick him up.
The witness called police, who arrived at 6.20am and discovered Burkitt had a warrant out for his arrest.
Police reported he was “clearly alcohol affected and was unsteady on his feet”.
The engine of the vehicle was cold and officers could not determine the exact time of the crash.
Burkitt told them the fictional story about being kidnapped and again recounted the story back at the Wodonga police station.
But he admitted to being behind the wheel after again being questioned by officers.
Burkitt said he was "gonna have to” admit to driving the vehicle when questioned but denied falling asleep.
He said he “wouldn’t have a clue” why he had driven while disqualified.
Burkitt told police he didn't know how the collision had occurred.
He has two prior convictions for drink driving matters.
The 29-year-old appeared in Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on charges of driving while disqualified and careless driving.
Magistrate Stella Stuthridge said a big fine was necessary given his driving history and the fact the circumstances surrounding the crash were “quite dangerous".
Ms Stuthridge fined Burkitt $1500 but did not make any further orders against his licence.
