Hoon leads police to his door

Glenvale residents (from left) Marion and Cliff McMahon are sick of young hoons using the streets as their own private racetracks and (inset) a tree stump wedged under the alleged man’s vehicle.

Kevin Farmer

IN WHAT police are calling a blatant disregard for public safety, a 24-year-old man will face Toowoomba Magistrates Court on a string of charges after recording one of the highest roadside breath tests recorded in the region.

The man was arrested at his Glenvale home after earlier crashing his white Toyota van into a tree on Rushlands St during the early hours of yesterday.

Instead of stopping, police will allege the man proceeded to drive for more than 600m, down three more streets as a tree stump stuck under his vehicle ploughed a distinctive trail into the road.

The alleged crime has similarities to the fabled children's story Hansel and Gretel - it was an easy job for police, who just had to follow the trail to the man's home.

It was there he registered a high-range blood alcohol reading and was subsequently arrested.

It was a shock start to the day for Rushlands St residents Cliff and Marion McMahon, who said "hooning" in the area was a common occurrence.

"We were dead asleep and just heard this almighty bang around 4.20am and ran outside to have a look what had happened," Mr McMahon said.

"He certainly would have to take the prize for being the dumbest driver in Toowoomba.

"The trail he left behind led police straight to his house.

"I did not think the car would start again, let alone drive away with a tree stump stuck underneath it," he said.

A resident for the past nine years, Mr McMahon said this was not the first time something like that had happened.

"People are always flying down these streets. They use the area as a rally track," he said.

"Especially in the wet, they love getting their car sideways to get around the corner.

"It is the third tree we have lost and I could not tell you how many other drivers have ended up on the footpath," he added.

Fed-up residents in the area are urging police to start cracking down on irresponsible drivers before someone is killed.

"The council needs to install speed bumps along the roads in the area to act as a deterrent to these young hoons.

"How long will it be before someone is killed or a car ends up inside a house?" Mr McMahon said.

The man will face Toowoomba Magistrates Court later this month.