Rock star Daniel Johns in alleged drunk-drive crash

Former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns says he’s heading to rehab after being been charged with high-range drink-driving after a car crash in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Mar 24, 2022, updated May 22, 2025
Image: ABC
Image: ABC

Johns was allegedly three times over the legal limit when his car crossed to the wrong side of the road and crashed into a van in the NSW Hunter region.

The ARIA Award-winner was charged with high-range drink-driving after the collision on Wednesday night.

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Johns later said in an Instagram post he had been struggling with panic attacks and mental health issues and would be going to a rehabilitation facility.

ā€œI’ve been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with my PTSD, anxiety and depression,ā€ he wrote.

ā€œI know this is not sustainable or healthy.ā€

NSW Police said a grey SUV drove out of a service station on the Pacific Highway at North Arm Cove about 10.30pm on Wednesday.

A short time later, the northbound SUV collided with the southbound van after the SUV moved onto the wrong side of the road.

Both vehicles ended up on a nature strip.

Paramedics assessed Johns, 42, at the scene and he returned a positive roadside breath test to police.

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He was later allegedly returned a second breath test of 0.157, more than three times the legal limit.

The van driver, 51, and his female passenger,Ā 55, were treated at the scene and theĀ passenger was taken to John Hunter Hospital before being released.

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Johns said his ā€œmental health is a work in progressā€ and ā€œit’s something I always have to manageā€.

ā€œOver the past week I began to experience panic attacks,ā€ he wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

ā€œLast night I got lost while driving and I was in an accident. I am ok, everyone is ok.

ā€œI have to step back now as I’m self admitting a rehabilitation center and I don’t know how long I’ll be there.

ā€œAppreciate your love and support as always.ā€

JohnsĀ will appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on April 11.

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