A Queenstown teenager who rolled his car, leaving two friends injured, was still affected by alcohol from the night before, a court has heard. All three were taken to Lakes District Hospital for treatment, with the female victim suffering a broken wrist, concussion and lacerations, and the male victim suffering concussion as well as a cut to the head. Defence counsel Bryony Shackell said Thomas had been drinking the night before the Queenstown incident. He was a full-time hospitality student at Queenstown Resort College, but was also working at a bar to make ends meet. He entered the three convictions, imposed a sentence of 12 months’ supervision and disqualified Thomas from driving for 12 months.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 13, 2026 15:46 UTC