An unlicensed man who flipped a car after falling asleep behind the wheel has told a court he won't drive again after being convicted for his negligent actions.
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William David Frances faced Wagga Local Court last week charged over a single-vehicle crash at Bomen in October, which left him and another person trapped inside their upturned vehicle.
According to court documents, Frances was driving south on Byrnes Road about 3.50pm on October 26 and began to fall asleep as his vehicle approached the East Bomen Road roundabout.
The 69-year-old, from Harden, entered the intersection at about 75km/h while asleep and only came to once in the roundabout. The road was wet at the time.
The car hit a traffic island, flipped across the road and into a table drain, before coming to rest on its roof.
Two rear passengers were able to free themselves without injury, while the vehicle's front two occupants - including Frances - were trapped.
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Another motorist, who captured the incident on dashcam, called triple zero.
A paramedic transporting a patient from Junee was among the first on scene and helped free the front passenger, who was having seizures.
Frances was still trapped in the car when police arrived.
When asked about his condition, he told officers his right arm was broken and he had back pain. He also said "I'm in trouble, I don't have a licence".
Frances was cut from the car and taken to hospital, where he told officers his licence expired in 2011.
Frances was charged with driving unlicensed and negligent driving, to which he pleaded guilty.
The court heard Frances was bringing his wife to Wagga for a MRI when the crash occurred.
Frances' solicitor said while it was criminal behaviour that had serious consequences, the accused was a man of good character who no longer wanted to drive.
The court also heard Frances hadn't slept the night before the crash and was the most seriously injured.
Magistrate Miranda Moody said the incident was a serious example of negligent driving.
"I don't want him on the road if that's how he drives, no one does," Magistrate Moody said.
"He better not do it again."
In sentencing, Magistrate Moody said Frances had a good driving history when he had a licence and acknowledged the extra-curial punishment he had suffered as the only person injured.
Although the offences were fine-only, she said they were "of grave concern" and pointed out Frances appeared to be falling asleep while on his feet in the court.
Frances, a disability pensioner, was fined $300 for driving unlicensed and $1000 for negligent driving.
The magistrate warned him not to drive, to which Frances replied: "I don't intend to."
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
