A Berkeley mechanic has avoided jail time after he caused a crash on the M1 Motorway while driving a car with bald tyres.
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Adam Ryan Robinson fronted Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Police documents tendered to the court during Robinson's sentencing hearing said the 24-year-old Berkeley resident was merging into the southbound lane at the Figtree entrance to the motorway on October 31 last year when he failed to properly give way to another vehicle travelling in the same direction.
Robinson's car collided with the rear panel of the victim's car, causing both drivers to lose control.
The court heard Robinson's car rolled as a result of the crash, landing on its roof in the far right southbound lane (pictured).
Meanwhile, the victim's vehicle veered to the right and hit the middle embankment dividing the roadway. The vehicle then clipped a tree and rolled, eventually coming to a rest on its side in one of the northbound lanes.
Robinson was able to exit the vehicle unaided, however the driver of the other vehicle and her passenger were trapped inside their crumpled car and had to be freed by emergency services. Both were taken to hospital.
The court heard the driver fractured three vertebrae in the crash and would need ongoing physiotherapy and treatment.
Robinson was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged.
During an interview with police, he admitted knowing his car was unroadworthy due to the poor state of the tyres.
In court on Tuesday, defence lawyer Anthony Williamson said Robinson was remorseful for his actions and had paid $4000 out of his own pocket to have the victim's vehicle repaired.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming was critical of Robinson's driving, saying he should have known better.
"You had bald tyres and you weren't looking out properly for other vehicles - it was so dangerous," she said.
Robinson was handed a 12-month community corrections order and fined $2000.
Magistrate Fleming also banned him from driving for two years, and warned him if he did get behind the wheel during the disqualification period he risked up to two years in jail.
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