Brady Dermott Collins: Geraldton cricketer gets two years in jail for hit-and-run on girlfriend Grace Morrison

A Geraldton man jailed for two years over a hit-and-run that seriously injured his 18-year-old on-off girlfriend texted his victim after running her over, telling her “now my car’s f*cked, thanks”. Former high-level amateur cricketer Brady Dermott Collins was sentenced on Thursday in the Geraldton District Court, which was told he had lured his estranged girlfriend outside by dangling her handbag out of the window before running her over and fleeing. Despite stopping, peering back and looking directly at the 18-year-old, who was lying on the ground, the 27-year-old denied knowing he injured his girlfriend when he sped away. Collins was sentenced to two years in jail over the hit-and-run of his former girlfriend, Grace Morrison, in 2022. On December 18, Collins, who was 25 at the time, had met up with Ms Morrison at the Freemasons Hotel and went back to his home when an argument broke out between the pair. The court was told Collins became emotional and upset over Ms Morrison’s plans to travel interstate the next day. After she was picked up, Collins followed her to another man’s house in Utakarra and made several attempts to call her. State prosecutor Danya Borkowski said Collins beeped continuously to lure Ms Morrison outside just after 11pm, dangling a handbag, which he had taken from her house, out of the driver’s window. When she approached his Holden Colorado to reclaim her bag, Collins ripped it back, causing her to fall into the car. She took hold of the roof rack to regain her balance, but at the same time Collins accelerated heavily. The 18-year old fell face-first on to the concrete and Collins drove over the left side of her body, dragging her along the road for a period of time. Ms Borkowski said Collins stopped about 15 metres away and peered out of the window, looking at the victim while she was on the ground, before driving away. A neighbour who rushed to help Ms Morrison called triple-0 before contacting Collins. During the phone call, the court heard Collins said: “I’m in the s... now”. Ms Borkowski said Collins called back to ask if the victim was OK. The court was told Collins sent Ms Morrison a text message shortly after the hit and run saying: “now my car’s f...ed, thanks” and called her while she was in the ambulance. The 18-year-old was rushed to Perth for injuries to her ribs, jaw, shoulder and legs. She spent time in a wheelchair and still undergoes rehabilitation. Ms Morrison’s victim impact statement, which was read to the court, said she has had a long recovery and suffers from low self-esteem. She wears dentures at the age of 20, has trouble eating and doesn’t want to smile because of damage to her teeth. She is too frightened to drive and lost her independence and suffered financially due to medical costs. Police found Collins’ Holden Colorado at a Spalding address about 3.30am and arrested him at a Sunset Beach address about 5.50am, where the handbag was stuffed inside a wardrobe. Judge Gary Massey said the text message showed Collins “breathtaking lack of regard” for the woman’s wellbeing. Collins previously denied knowing he harmed Ms Morrison before he was arrested, but following negotiations admitted knowing something serious had happened after receiving the neighbour’s call. One charge of failing to report incident to police was dropped and Collins was sentenced for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and fail to stop after incident causing grievous bodily harm. Judge Massey said Collins demonstrated a lack of remorse and found it hard to believe he had no idea the victim was injured. In the police interview, Collins said he accelerated away because he feared Ms Morrison was going to assault him and left the scene because he was not sure what would happen. Defence lawyer Kate Fry said there were elements of family violence in the relationship. Judge Massey said he was not convinced Collins was scared given he pursued Ms Morrison around town and dangled her handbag out of the car. Ms Borkowski said dangling the handbag was a “demonstration of an effort to control the victim” rather than working things out. Ms Fry said Collins had been ostracised by the community since the offending and has lost social supports and networks in the sporting community after being banned from playing cricket, football and soccer. She said he was even turned away when he offered to voluntarily umpire the cricket. The court was told Collins’ fears of abandonment, poor emotional regulation and relationship management may have contributed to his behaviour that night, but so could his cannabis and alcohol consumption. Judge Massey said Collins should not have been behind the wheel with cannabis and alcohol in his system and while in such an emotional state. “I accept you may not have known the extent of her injuries but you must have appreciated there was a real risk she was injured,” he said. Collins was jailed for two years, but will be eligible for parole after serving one year behind bars. He was also banned from driving for three years.