A single father who crashed into a power pole causing more than $50,000 worth of damage was found to be under the influence of a cocktail of drugs.
On October 15, 2022, Samuel David Graham-Walker (24) drove into a high-voltage power pole in Bush Rd, Mosgiel, the Dunedin District Court heard this week.
Striking a telephone pole and a fence, the collision caused significant damage –— totalling about $56,000.
A blood sample revealed a positive result for codeine, diazepam and THC — the active constituent of cannabis.
Judge Emma Smith commended the man for taking a "more responsible look at what happened" in the months following the accident.
Graham-Walker is a solo parent to an infant and suffered from "complex mental health issues", the court heard.
As a single parent, he faced the reality of damages far exceeding his financial capabilities.
His mother supported him in court, sharing with the judge that he had been doing a "marvellous job" in his parenting role despite the accident and had made massive improvements regarding his drug consumption.
Graham-Walker was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision for dangerous driving and driving under the influence of a drug.
He faced a six month disqualification and had not driven since the crash.
Judge Smith ordered the man to pay reparation of $667, acknowledging the full amount was too steep for a single parent.
