A drink-driver drove through several police roadblocks, almost hitting a police officer, because he wanted to check on his horses during a bushfire, a court has heard.
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Travis Adams, 28, pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday to four charges, including reckless conduct endangering life.
The court heard Adams and his partner were at their property on March 27 this year – the day a large bushfire swept through Dereel.
As the fire approached, Adams and his partner evacuated to nearby Rokewood but did not have time to organise safe harbour for several horses and other animals on the property.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Vicki Chaffey said several traffic management positions had been set up around the vicinity of the fire, stopping all vehicles for safety reasons.
She said at 2.45pm, Adams drove towards one such checkpoint, where a highway patrol member was standing in front of his car.
As Adams approached, the officer yelled out “stop”, but Adams continued to drive and accelerated away onto a dirt road – towards the fire.
Senior Constable Chaffey said the officer gave chase, but terminated the pursuit due to Adams’ driving and the impending threat of the bushfire.
The court heard Adams failed to stop at an additional two checkpoints, before police located him at a friend’s house.
He recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.125 and said he had been drinking since 9.45am that morning.
Defence lawyer Scott Belcher said his client had made a “foolish” decision to leave the evacuation area and drive back towards the fire to check on his horses.
Mr Belcher said Adams’ early plea of guilty was beneficial to the court and showed remorse.
Adams was fined $700 and was placed on a community corrections order for 12 months.