Mitchell Pedlar jailed for drink-driving crash which injured five

A drink-driver who was distracted by his mobile phone when he ploughed into another car, seriously injuring five people, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Mitchell Pedlar, 32, was driving east out of Geraldton to his home in Northern Gully on February 16 last year when he drifted into the lane of oncoming traffic while using his phone. He travelled about 500m at 90km/h in the wrong lane on Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road in Karloo before realising his mistake after a car was forced to swerve hard to avoid colliding with him. He swerved back to the correct lane, only to collide head-on with a second car trying to avoid him. Five people, including two children, were seriously injured in the incident. When tested for a blood-alcohol reading, Pedlar blew a reading of 0.069. He was later charged with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, two counts of dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm, and drink-driving. He pleaded guilty to all charges. The 32-year-old reappeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was brought to tears as Magistrate Chris Miocevich read a list of the injuries suffered by the victims. The court was told the three adult victims continued to suffer from permanent injury — including broken bones, internal bleeding, pelvic injuries and a lacerated spleen — requiring ongoing treatment. One woman, who suffered a fractured femur, will never again regain the full strength and use of her leg, the court was told. The children, a boy and girl aged five and 11, suffered injuries ranging from broken ribs to cuts and bruises. Defence lawyer George Giudice said Pedlar was “extremely remorseful” for his actions that night and had suffered extensive injuries in the crash himself. “I am so sorry for what I’ve done,” he read from a statement by the client. Mr Miocevich said he had shown “complete disregard for other road users than night”. “Unfortunately for you, people come into court all the time for driving using their phone and get a fine,” he said. “This time, it’s led to the serious injury of six people, including yourself.” He was sentenced to 18 months in jai and had his licence suspended for three years. He will be eligible for parole in nine months.