A teenager celebrating Australia Day drunkenly got behind the wheel of his car and drove a few hundred meters home, but instead crashed into an unmarked police car.
Lachlan Keane, 19, received a stern warning this week as he stood before Darwin Local Court saying he was extremely lucky he had not hurt anyone while driving.
Keane, originally from Echuca in Victoria but currently based in Darwin for his job as a gunner with the Australian Army, was enjoying a drink with a friend in Palmerston on January 26 when he decided to drive his Toyota HiLux.
On the 500 meter route to his home he crashed his vehicle directly into the back of the unmarked patrol car in Bellamack in south Palmerston.
He was then subjected to a roadside alcohol breath test, where he blew a BAC reading of 0.206, or four times the legal limit, reports The NT news.
Army shooter Lachlan Keane escaped with a 12-month driving ban after smashing his Toyota HiLux into an unmarked police car while celebrating Australia Day
The court heard the teenager had never been in contact with the police before and had completed a safe driving course since the accident.
Judge Alan Woolcock said he hoped this would be the last time he would see Keane in court.
“Some young men learn this lesson when they kill or hurt someone,” he said.
Keane’s lawyer said his client wanted to continue his career in the military and asked that he not face a conviction that could affect his prospects.
Judge Woolcock agreed noting his previously ‘exemplary’ character and no conviction was recorded.
Keane was given a 12-month good behavior bond and disqualified from driving for 12 months.