The sad events which caused the tragic death of 18-year-old Ethan Durnsford in a car accident on the Bruce Highway in August last year, reached closure last week as the judge at Mackay Magistrates Court sentenced the vehicle’s driver, Brett Matton, who was charged with driving without due care and attention.
It was 5.15 am on the 8th August 2021 when Ethan and Brett, who had been close friends since school, were driving back to Bowen from Ethan’s brother’s house in Moranbah.
Just one hour before the accident, the court heard how both had men arrived at a BP service station, near the intersection of the Moranbah Access road, about 100 kilometres away from where the accident took place.
It was here that the pair swapped drivers and by the time of the incident, it is understood Ethan was asleep in the passenger seat.
The court heard how Brett stayed with Ethan helping out in any way he could and afterwards tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
There were also no signs he had been using his phone or speeding at the time of the incident.
Magistrate William Cooper concluded that the crash appeared to have happened from a moment of inattention and it seemed to be an error of judgment that caused the Nissan Navara to veer over to the wrong side of the road and into an oncoming B-double truck.
Pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention and without reasonable consideration of other persons using the road causing death, Brett displayed remorse in the court room.
On Friday 11th February, Brett was sentenced to six months in jail which was wholly suspended for a period of two years.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Ethan’s parents and his grandfather were present at the sentencing, and it is hoped that the family can move on a little now that they have some closure.
Ethan Durnsford who passed away in the tragic road accident
Brett Matton who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident
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