A Canberra man who blamed his use of methamphetamines for driving at a police officer in a hit and run near Cooma has been sentenced to nearly five years jail in the Queanbeyan court.
On August 30 last year, Stephen McCracken, 31, and a co-accused became involved in a high-speed police chase in two stolen cars.
When police got out to arrest the co-accused, officers said he jumped into McCracken's car, before McCracken drove into one of the two arresting officers.
The Queanbeyan District Court heard the officer remained on the bonnet for about 30 metres before he was thrown and landed face-down on the road, suffering serious head injuries.
McCracken fled the scene and was not taken into custody until he presented at the ACT Magistrates Court in October.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact.
On Thursday, the court heard he had no memory of the incident.
The court also heard he had tried to stay away from drugs since he was taken into custody.
During sentencing, a victim impact statement was read to the court.
In it, the officer who was hit by McCracken, Senior Constable Jason Farrell, said the incident had had a big effect on his family as his "youngest daughter has nightmares about me being run down".
Senior Constable Farrell also said he was glad he was the one who was hit, instead of another officer or a member of the community.
He was airlifted to the Canberra Hospital in a serious condition after the incident but has since recovered and returned to work.
The judge, addressing McCracken directly, said he was "at a crossroads".
"You are at a point in your life where you can choose two paths," she said.
McCracken thanked the judge as he was sentenced to four years and nine months' jail.
He will be eligible for parole in 2025.
