Court after crash, cattle running
A MAN who overturned his ute sending seven head of cattle running through the streets of South Grafton in April was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for two years after returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.227.
Witnesses told police the older model Toyota Hilux was travelling about 50kmh when it knocked over several school zone signs on Bent St and dragged a steel pole some 400m down Roberts Dr before crossing to the wrong side of the road, hitting a tree and flipping onto its side about 5.30pm on April 23.
Five of the cattle headed down the hill towards Rushforth Rd and two of them headed up towards Bent St.
The driver of the ute, refrigeration mechanic Colin Stephen Brotherson, 57, of South Grafton, was initially stuck in the cabin before bystanders helped him out.
He lay on the grass and was treated by ambulance officers.
Police said they were unable to breath test Brotherson at the scene because of shortness of breath.
Grafton Base Hospital staff took a blood sample on behalf of police.
Brotherson had a near-impeccable driving record and received glowing references from his employer and another party.
