A man will not be jailed for taking meth, assaulting an Uber driver and causing a fiery three-car crash on Sydney's Harbour Bridge because of strides made in tackling his drug problem.
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Christopher Walker, 21, appeared for sentence at Central District Court on Monday almost two years after he was dragged from the wreckage of a burning stolen SUV.
Before the crash, the Sunnybank Hills man grabbed the keys of a Toyota Kluger belonging to 27-year-old Uber driver Aetzaz Farooq who had stopped to repair a punctured tyre in Sydney's CBD.
"Get the f*** away from the car or I'll kill you," Walker said to Mr Farooq before speeding off in the stolen vehicle.
Affected by the meth he had taken earlier during the day, Walker went on a high-speed joyride across the Harbour Bridge, veering across three lanes and colliding head-on with a Toyota Hiace driven by Andrew Cheng.
Kathryn McNamara was driving a Honda CR-V and was unable to avoid the two other cars coming in her direction, slamming into the side of Mr Cheng's vehicle.
Walker's SUV flipped onto its roof and caught fire. He was dragged from the wreckage and put into an induced coma before being arrested.
Peak-hour traffic was held up for three hours as police, ambulance and emergency crews attended the scene.
On Monday, Walker was convicted and sentenced to an intensive community order of two years and nine months, expiring on November 18, 2026.
Judge Justin Smith noted the serious injuries caused, particularly to Mr Cheng who experienced multiple fractures resulting in several surgeries and lengthy hospital admissions.
The incident was not a momentary lapse of attention but an "abandonment of responsibility" by Walker, the judge said.
The 21-year-old received a 25 per cent discount to his sentence after pleading guilty to assault with the intent of stealing a motor vehicle and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
The judge also took into account two further charges of causing bodily harm by furious and/or wanton driving, and driving with an illicit drug in his system.
Walker had been a person of good character with no criminal record prior to the crash, the judge said.
He had been exposed to drug and alcohol use from a young age, however.
The Sunnybank Hill man had shown true remorse for his actions and had made a "noble effort" in completing drug rehabilitation after being released on bail, Judge Smith found.
"I accept his expressions of remorse as truthful and genuine in that he has gained insights into his offending."
He had spent six months on remand before being released on bail when he began his drug rehabilitation program.
Walker had a better chance of staying free from drugs if he was to serve time in the community rather than through full-time imprisonment, Judge Smith said.
As well as having to remain on good behaviour, he will have to serve 50 hours of community service and abstain from illicit drugs.
"If you do not comply with those conditions, my order might be overturned and you might be put back in prison. Do you understand that?" Judge Smith asked Walker as the sentence wrapped up.
"Yes, Your Honour," the 21-year-old replied.
He will also be disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Australian Associated Press
