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A DRIVER who was involved in a head-on collision with a milk tanker near Echuca last year had smoked the drug ice just one hour before getting behind the wheel, a court has been told.
The crash on the Murray Valley Highway left the man’s passenger – a 20-year-old man – in a coma with a fractured skull, ribs and hip, bleeding on the brain, lung injuries and lacerations.
Nicholas De Cicco, 21, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo County Court last week to dangerous driving causing serious injury and possessing a drug of dependence.
The court heard De Cicco was driving on the highway at Wharparilla at 9.40pm on August 9. His passenger was asleep at the time.
The two men had earlier driven to and from Craigieburn where they worked all day, before driving back to Echuca for dinner.
De Cicco smoked ice before getting back behind the wheel to drive to Gunbower to pick up a friend.
While driving on the highway, De Cicco veered onto the wrong side of the road and into the path of an oncoming milk tanker.
The truck hit De Cicco’s car, which rolled onto its side and caught fire. His passenger was trapped inside and was dragged free by bystanders, before being flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The tanker veered off the road and sustained extensive damage. The driver suffered bruising and lacerations, and was treated for shock.
De Cicco was taken to Echuca Hospital where he gave a positive reading for methylamphetamine and amphetamine.
The court heard his passenger requires ongoing treatment for neurological injuries, and requires further facial operations.
De Cicco started using ice six months before the crash after a breakdown in a relationship.
The court was told De Cicco believed smoking ice would assist with his tiredness after working and driving all day.
Judge Jane Patrick said his actions placed a number of people at risk.
“Your offending on this occasion in driving under the influence of a drug and driving dangerously has, as you acknowledged, had dreadful consequences,” she said.
“You were under the influence of drugs and your actions exposed at least three people to risk, including yourself.
“To drive at night after a long day on a two-lane road with a speed limit of 100 km/h under the influence of drugs is very dangerous.”
Judge Patrick said De Cicco had strong prospects of rehabilitation, was a young offender and had shown remorse.
“I have no doubt that you have learned a very severe lesson from this incident especially because of the consequences to your friend and his family,” she said.
De Cicco was convicted and sentenced to nine months’ jail, to be followed by a 24-month community corrections order with 150 hours of unpaid community work.
He was fined $350 for being in possession of cannabis.