Man who crashed on Cobham Bridge in Whanganui has 17 previous convictions, court reveals

Dylan Thorner-Benseman was towing a trailer unaccompanied on a learner license when he caused a car crash on Cobham Bridge. Photo / Bevan Conley

The man who caused a car crash on the Cobham Bridge earlier this month has 17 convictions for driving outside of learner licence restrictions.

Dylan Thorner-Benseman lost control of his vehicle while crossing the bridge, causing a trailer he was towing to fishtail and collide with an oncoming ute.

The driver of the ute was taken to Whanganui Hospital with injuries that were not life threatening and Thorner-Benseman was charged with careless driving.

Since November 2014, Thorner-Benseman has accumulated at least 17 convictions for driving outside of learner licence restrictions, it was revealed in the Whanganui District Court yesterday.

"The summary of facts does not identify the status of Mr Thorner-Benseman's licence, but what I can clearly see from his demerit history is that he has rather a large history of driving on a learner licence," Judge Philip Crayton said.

The crash occurred at 4.15pm on February 12 and caused traffic to be turned away at both ends of the SH3 bridge for approximately one hour.

Thorner-Benseman was ticketed for being an unaccompanied learner driver, driving a vehicle with a temporary license extension and having no vehicle inspection details.

Lawyer Stephanie Burlace said her client worked full time in manufacturing and did not have insurance.

"He has entered an early guilty plea, there's no allegation in relation to speed being involved," Burlace said.

"He accepts that circumstances aligned wrongly and that an accident has occurred. He's extremely grateful that the other person who was involved wasn't injured."

Judge Crayton ordered Thorner-Benseman to pay $2000 reparation for the damaged caused to the victim's ute and disqualified him from driving for three months.

"In this case, you being marked and placed off the road for a period is warranted," Judge Crayton said.

"It is warranted to ensure that you understand that the driving restrictions are there for the protection of all road users."