Peter Arnold told he is facing jail over crash of airborne utility into tree at Elizabeth Park (ABC)

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An Adelaide man whose utility became airborne and crashed into a tree could face up to 15 years in jail over the crash, which seriously injured a friend.

The District Court heard Peter Robert Arnold, 60, picked up Leigh Hanson in February 2011 to drive to a store to buy paint.

Witnesses at Elizabeth Park heard the roar of an engine and say the utility became airborne around a bend, just missed two other vehicles on the roadside and slammed into a tree.

Arnold cannot remember the crash and has apologised to his friend over the severe injuries the crash caused.

The court was told Mr Hanson would not again hold down a regular job.

Judge Paul Muscat says it is a classic case of hoon driving.

"We all see it on the road from time to time and he's not a young man, but that doesn't stop him from being a hoon driver and that's exactly what his driving amounted to, in my view," he said.

"Most of the witnesses who arrived at the scene were in a state of disbelief that anyone actually survived the crash, such was the force of the impact.

"[Arnold] just missed two other vehicles and if he struck them it would have been a complete disaster."

Driver and crash victim long-time friends

Arnold used to drive taxis, buses and trucks but retired in 2005 because of back problems.

He told the court he had known Mr Hanson's family for 30 years.

"I have known Leigh Hanson since he was approximately eight years of age," he said.

"I am aware of the severe and extensive nature of the injuries that Leigh suffered.

"I have expressed my sorrow to him many times and he has said to me that he has forgiven me and he understands that I have no recollection of the accident."

Arnold remains on bail but the judge has told him to prepare for jail when he is sentenced in three weeks.

"Imprisonment is, in my view, very much on the cards for this very dangerous act of driving you engaged in," he said.

There is every likelihood that you will be sent to jail ... so you have got some time to prepare things."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/24368826/peter-arnold-told-he-is-facing-jail-over-crash-of-airborne-utility-into-tree-at-elizabeth-park/