HSV salesman found guilty

Fab · 15-10-2005, 03:18 PM

www.couriermail.news.com.au

IT was the high-speed test drive from hell that ended with two passengers in hospital and an award-winning car salesman going to jail.

On September 16, 2003, David and Renee Galvin, of Samford, went to Eagers Newstead dealership interested in a Monaro but were convinced by salesman Chris Ponturo to take a spin around Brisbane's docks area in a Holden HSV.

Ponturo explained the features of the car and then, heading into the quieter semi-industrial area, he turned to Renee Galvin and said: "I hope you're not afraid of a bit of speed. It's all right, I'm qualified to drive like this."

Ponturo then accelerated hard, forcing the Galvins back into their seats.

Ponturo continued to accelerate, taking a bend at speed and heading along a narrow street lined by parked cars.

There, the car slammed into a utility making a u-turn, and continued along the road before bouncing along a wooden fence. It then hit a parked car before coming to rest against a small tree. Airbags had activated and the windscreen was smashed.

Police collision analysts later calculated the HSV reached 103km/h in a 60-zone when it hit the ute.

Ponturo used his phone to tell someone he had "had a cracker of an accident" then turned to Renee Galvin and – apparently oblivious to her injuries – said: "I'm going to be in so much trouble at work, look what I've done to the car".

Yesterday Ponturo, supported by his wife and a colleague, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm to Renee Galvin.

Crown Prosecutor Victoria Trafford-Walker said Renee Galvin had to be cut from the car and was treated for a spinal fracture, fractured sternum, soft-tissue bruising to her foot and minor cuts.

She spent a month in hospital and another three months in a full body brace.

The mother of two had chronic back pain and had been assessed by medical experts to have lost between 15 and 22 per cent of her total body function because of the spinal fracture.

David Galvin, a firefighter, suffered only minor injuries.

The court heard Ponturo had a significant traffic history that included several offences for speeding, including two after this accident.

Defence barrister Michael Byrne, QC, said his client was remorseful and had suffered considerably himself through prosecution delays in bringing the matter to court.

Judge Milton Griffin said Ponturo had an "unenviable" driving history and had shown "deliberate recklessness" in his driving, which led to the accident.

Ponturo cried as Judge Griffin sentenced him to 18 months' jail, to be suspended after serving four months for an operational period of three years.

He was disqualified from holding a driver's licence for three years.

Outside court, the Galvins said they still could find no explanation for Ponturo's driving behaviour on the day.

"It was like being on a ride at an amusement park," David Galvin said.

The Galvins didn't buy a HSV. They bought a Volvo. "It's nice and safe," said a smiling Renee Galvin yesterday.

PH47 · 15-10-2005, 03:22 PM

Jeeeeeeeez.

He's lucky he didn't kill them!

He got off light I reckon.

Mike Gayner · 15-10-2005, 03:57 PM

What a moron!!

luke · 15-10-2005, 05:07 PM

typical...

_

Woz · 15-10-2005, 05:38 PM

What a ********. See, even qualified holden drivers are ****ers.

Racecraft · 15-10-2005, 05:43 PM

since when are car salesmen qualified to break the speed limit..... idiot

phoon · 15-10-2005, 05:44 PM

being qualified to drive a holden, doesnt mean he's qualified to drive a real car

PH47 · 15-10-2005, 05:45 PM

Yeh exactly.. "i'm qualified to drive like this".. what.. like an idiot? Guess in a way he's right.. being a holden driver generally does mean you drive like an idiot..

svo347 · 15-10-2005, 05:48 PM

He'll be lucky to be able to sell scooters.

cArSiK · 15-10-2005, 06:00 PM

i dont believe everything i read in that article....im sure the dealer didnt have to "convince" them to take the test drive.....

but yea....stupid behaviour by the salesman

WizBang · 15-10-2005, 06:01 PM

That is so bad and why is not in jail as he knew he was going to something this and he knew there was a risk but he still done it and to think he was qualified (what course do you have to do to be a clownboy )

Woz · 15-10-2005, 06:09 PM

"It's all right, I'm qualified to eat like this."

pauljh74 · 16-10-2005, 12:00 AM

He must have taken the Greg Murphy advanced driving course

Bucknaked · 16-10-2005, 06:40 AM

So you don't have to drive a holden to be a tool. You can sell them too.

bathurst77 · 16-10-2005, 10:22 AM

"Im qualified to drive like this" oh yeh by whom? WHy coz u polish them and flog em?
I think the only people "Qualified" to do so, have red n blue flashing lights on the cars.
Even then ther are controls.

But I thought the last para was the best.
"they bought a Volvo...."
cracked me up

XR Martin · 16-10-2005, 11:07 AM

Im surprised the driver didnt suffer blunt force trauma from the accident care of the passanger.

parawolf · 16-10-2005, 11:13 AM

I'm concerned that the firefighter didn't tell the salesman to stop. Perhaps he did (not in the article).

But yeah - the driver got what he deserved, and I hope he got sued for the physical damages and hospital bills.

NIGHTHAWK · 17-10-2005, 08:23 AM

Maybe this guy takes driving lessons from murphy.

ZC-Cruiser · 17-10-2005, 08:57 AM

Another Weapons-Grade Idiot...

niko · 17-10-2005, 01:40 PM

what a spastic

GT-E · 17-10-2005, 01:56 PM

If he did get his driving lessons from Murph, they would only have hit a FORD ute doing a U-turn and then smashed into several parked Fords and then hit a tree in a Ford dealership, and if he had done the Murph advanced driving course, he would have beaten up the owners of the parked cars and the tree.

What a tool, I had a similar situation in a WRX, young salesman trying to show me how to drive a WRX properly. He drove like a moron, I told him to pull over and I took the wheel and drove straight back to the dealers and spoke with the dealer principal. This guy was not even meant to be selling or driving WRX's, he was a cadet and was sacked on the spot.

TZENU · 17-10-2005, 02:04 PM

What a tool... then again the majority of holden buffs are tools heheheh......

He should go buy a tattslotto ticket ... very lucky he didnt kill the passengers

SunDrifter · 17-10-2005, 02:50 PM

Throw away the key. The guys a qualified retard, and his calousness toward the injured female and the concern over his own job only shows what sort of person he is.

HOON69 · 17-10-2005, 03:18 PM

just reading that
so he gets 18months but serves 4months and the serving time of the suspended sentence runs for 3 years
he got off lighly he coulda killed em and he put her in hospital
he shoulda got the full 18months or at least served half of that term thats a joke really..