Maxwell John Ralph Baillie Cameron was drunk and asleep at the wheel when he drove on the wrong side of the road, causing a crash that severed one of his fingers – a court has heard.
On August 7, 2022, Cameron was driving a white Toyota Landcruiser in Meander Valley when he was stopped by police for a routine breath test (RBT).
The police noticed that the driver side of Cameron’s vehicle was caved in and, upon questioning, Cameron revealed that he had just been in a crash and had severed his finger.
When police tested Cameron’s blood-alcohol level, it was found to be 0.141, nearly three times over the legal limit.
He was transported to the Launceston General Hospital for treatment.
Police who went to the scene of the crash discovered a damaged barrier and Cameron’s severed finger.
Cameron, who was 30 years old at the time, later pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court to driving without due care and attention and driving a motor vehicle while exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
His lawyer, Grant Tucker, revealed that Cameron had traveled to Launceston to catch up with a friend and intended to ‘have a couple of beers’ before leaving.
However, the night got out of hand, and Cameron ended up drinking throughout the night and made the fateful decision to drive.
Magistrate Simon Brown fined Cameron $2000 for his offenses and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.
The convictions were recorded.
Brown noted that Cameron was lucky not to have injured anyone else.
