Court considers mental health of high-range PCA driver who destroyed rim, hit LandCruiser
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"I KNOW I'm telling you things you already know. But I'm going to say them because they have to be said. "Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our website& appThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaThat was howBathurst Local CourtJudge Debra Maher began her sentencing of a 31-year-old on charges including driving with a high-range PCA. Police say the man hit a LandCruiser and a number of traffic obstacles when he got behind the wheel inDubboand, when he was arrested, he said he'd had an estimated 20 drinks of vodka. The corner of Wingewarra Street and Brigalow Avenue, Dubbo. Picture from Google Maps. He was "so close to coming before court" for driving in a manner dangerous, causing death, Ms Maher told him. The man's solicitor said his client had no criminal record and a limited traffic record, while material before the court outlined his client's challenges with alcohol and his mental health. It was "serious offending", solicitor William Del Din said, but he asked the court to consider it in the "context of mental health considerations". Kodi Lee Lane, 31, of East Dubbo, was in the court on Monday, June 29, 2026 to plead guilty to driving with a high-range PCA, negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm) and not give particulars to other driver. Police documents before the court said Lane was in a Hyundai i30 when he failed to give way as he entered Sheraton Road, Dubbo from Castlereagh Avenue at about 7. 20pm on Thursday, March 12, 2026. He collided with the rear passenger-side tray of a red 79 series LandCruiser, which sustained minimal damage. Lane travelled briefly north along Sheraton Road before turning left and entering Birch Avenue, Dubbo, where he drove west. The LandCruiser driver, according to the police documents, turned and followed the i30, watching it hit a number of traffic obstacles which inflicted significant damage to the front passenger region. Police were contacted by the LandCruiser driver and made aware of the i30's location and registration. Lane continued west, negotiating the roundabout intersection of Wheelers Lane and Wingewarra Street before continuing west. Bathurst Local Court. Picture by James Arrow. He turned left, entering Brigalow Avenue and, eventually, Moonah Street, where he stopped. The LandCruiser driver updated police before stopping at the location. Police said they found Lane's vehicle in front of a Moonah Street house. The i30 was not able to be driven, according to the police documents. It had significant damage which included the front passenger tyre and rim being destroyed. Police said they spoke with Lane and he was given a breath test, which was positive. He was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station, where a breath analysis recorded 0. 232. With regards to his drinking, he said he'd had an estimated 20 drinks of vodka at home, starting at about 4pm. Mr Del Din said the collision and the breath analysis reading were both aggravating features of his client's offending, but asked the court to put that offending in the context of his client's challenges with mental health and alcohol use disorder. His client had a history of treatment relevant to alcohol use disorder, Mr Del Din said, and was now on medication including Naltrexone. The scales of justice. File picture. Mr Del Din said his client had a limited traffic record and was before the court with no criminal record. His client had been suspended from his job and that situation was to be reviewed after his matters had been dealt with by the court, Mr Del Din said. Judge's decisionMs Maher described Lane's breath analysis result as a "most serious" reading. Noting the reading and his manner of driving, Ms Maher said he was "so close to coming before court" for driving in a manner dangerous, causing death. "You had a very good driving record: 10 years without any traffic offending," she said. "You have no criminal record. "Ms Maher said she was taking into account the difficulties he had faced as outlined in a psychological report before the court. For driving with a high-range PCA, Ms Maher convicted Lane and imposed a Community Correction Order (used for crimes that do not warrant imprisonment or an Intensive Correction Order, but are too serious to be dealt with by a fine or lower level penalty) for 12 months, disqualified him from driving for six months, starting March 12, 2026, and imposed a mandatory interlock order for 24 months. For negligent driving and not give particulars to other driver, Ms Maher convicted Lane and fined him $200 and $500, respectively. More from Court and CrimeAs it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.