Tradies film, follow alleged drink driver as police urge against vigilantism

Police are probing a case after two men in northern Gold Coast followed and recorded an alleged drunk driver. The 49-year-old Helensvale individual faces multiple charges, including dangerous driving while intoxicated. Jack Stanley and Jordan Matterson claim they acted to safeguard other road users and informed authorities of the incident.

However, police have not dismissed the possibility of charging the duo who chased the suspected drink driver on the northern Gold Coast. Footage they captured shows the man speeding through residential streets and onto oncoming traffic. According to police, the 49-year-old crashed his ute into another ute on the Pacific Motorway in Helensvale twice, then fled the scene each time.

The tradies, Jack Stanley and Jordan Matterson, observed parts of the events and began filming as they pursued the vehicle. The Gold Coast Police District Superintendent, Craig McGrath, stated that the suspect was arrested at his home and that investigations are ongoing. He charged him with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, and failing to provide a breath specimen.

The Southport Magistrates Court is set to hear his case on November 18. Superintendent McGrath expressed concern over the actions of Stanley and Matterson, urging motorists not to interfere with erratic drivers and to contact the police instead. He emphasized that while vigilance is crucial, vigilante behavior is not. He noted the footage could have had dire consequences and reiterated the importance of authorities handling such situations.

If someone witnesses an offense, they should not take the law into their own hands as it can have dire consequences and they are not exempt from the law. Stanley and Matterson, who granted the ABC permission to use their footage with a mention of their business, started filming after noticing the erratic behavior of the driver. The man swerved at cars, causing alarm as it was peak-hour traffic with children leaving school.

The pair used their hazard lights to warn other road users of the vehicle. The alleged offender's car sustained significant damage, leaving debris on the road and creating billowing smoke that the pair managed to follow. They tracked him down to Helensvale, obtained his address, and contacted the police. Matterson affirmed that he did not believe following the man antagonized him or worsened his driving.

The video, initially posted on Matterson's mowing and property maintenance social media pages, demonstrates the pair also mounted the curb and drove on a footpath to continue monitoring the driver. He maintained that they were adhering to the road rules while following the erratic driver. Matterson believed their actions were beneficial for the community, especially given the lack of police presence at the scene, which could have allowed the offender to escape.