A 62-year-old man who caused a crash in the Perth CBD, killing one person and injuring five others, has been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison and banned from driving for seven years after his release.
Jamie Eric Glasfurd pleaded guilty earlier this year to several dangerous driving charges.
The court heard Glasfurd was under the influence of alcohol and methylamphetamine when he crashed into a parked car along Pier Street in August 2021, sending it into a crowd and killing a 71-year-old and injuring five others outside a bar.
Glasfurd will be eligible for parol after serving seven-and-a-half years in prison.
The Supreme Court heard Glasfurd had been drinking alcohol along Murray Street before getting into his car with a beer bottle in his hand.
He then proceeded to drive his V8 Range Rover SUV in a dangerous manner – performing an illegal three-point turn and accelerating towards a red light.
He raced down Pier Street around 6pm, the street busy with people enjoying Friday evening drinks and dinner.
He mounted a footpath and crashed into the back of a parked Toyota Corolla while doing 93 kilometres per hour outside a bar called My Place.
The Corolla ploughed into a group of people, killing a 71-year-old man, and seriously injuring five others.
The Range Rover then crashed into a Hyundai before rolling.
He was also found with a methylamphetamine-filled syringe in his pocket.
A toxicologist found he had a "moderately high level" of meth in his system and a small amount of alcohol.
It was believed he had around 0.028mg of alcohol in his body at the time of the crash, which is below the legal limit.
He told a psychiatrist after the crash "I put my foot down and went for it".
Victim battling life-long ailments
One of the five men who was seriously injured, Ryan Healy, took to the stand to read out his impact statement to the court.
He said his memory of the incident was waking up in hospital and being told he had a third-degree tear of his aorta. He said he was told 80 per cent of people with this type of injury die.
"Prior to my accident I'd describe myself as a fit and healthy 41-year-old guy with three young children and a wife. I was in arms reach of a massive work promotion," he said.
"I battle with mental trauma daily … I haven't been able to return to work since August 2021.
"Currently there is no end in sight as I require more surgeries to my hands and a knee replacement, once my hands are strong enough to hold my body weight with crutches."
History of reckless driving
The court heard Glasfurd had ADHD, a significant cognitive impairment due to a skateboarding accident in the 1970s, and an IQ of 82.
Justice McGrath said while there was evidence Glasfurd may have a long-standing brain injury, his cognitive issues did not mitigate his moral culpability.
He also told the court Glasfurd had mental health issues, and the incident had caused him to "hit rock bottom," and he had "several realisations, including not using drugs again".
Glasfurd's lawyer said while he had initially accelerated on Pier Street, he attempted to hit the brakes and accidentally hit the accelerator twice in quick succession.
The court heard Glasfurd was driving without a licence – having had it suspended for several serious driving offences. He was due to get it back in 2022.
Glasfurd's legal representative said the 62-year-old understood the impact of what he had done and was remorseful.
He argued Glasfurd had already served a significant amount of time in custody, where he had been assaulted.
Judge described actions as 'extremely dangerous'
Justice McGrath accepted the Glasfurd was remorseful for his actions and had a reasonable prospect for rehabilitation.
But he also emphasised he was driving after having had his licence suspended.
"You had no need to drive that day," Justice McGrath told the court.
"Your conduct was … extremely dangerous."
He gave Glasfurd a 12.5 per cent discount on the sentence for his guilty plea.
Glasfurd will be eligible for parole in in 2029.
