Hit-and-run driver 'tried to scare victim'

A Gold Coast teenager was trying to scare a man when he ran him over at a service station forecourt, a court has been told.

Joel Murtagh, 17, faced Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm following the incident which occurred just after 12.30am AEST on Monday.

He was also charged with fleeing the scene.

Police allege Murtagh was behind the wheel of a black sedan that hit and pinned Mark Shaw, 40, following an argument between two groups at the 7-Eleven service station at Palm Beach.

Police claim Murtagh wanted to scare Mr Shaw by giving him a "nudge" when he drove the car into Mr Shaw's path.

Murtagh, who only holds a learner's licence, had been the designated driver for a group of his friends during Australia Day celebrations.

"Just because it is Australia Day does not give a person the right to act like a yobbo," prosecutor Sergeant Doug Bettany told the court.

"It's not the Australian way to take off like a coward, leaving the victim with unknown injuries and then do nothing."

Video footage of the incident shows Mr Shaw being trapped underneath the right-hand side of the car before it reverses back over him and drives off.

The incident allegedly occurred after a fight between two of Mr Shaw's friends and another group involving Murtagh, during which a woman travelling in the car threw water at Mr Shaw's friends.

Police say Mr Shaw became involved in the dispute after driving past the service station in a taxi as it took place.

Mr Shaw remains in a serious but stable condition at the Gold Coast University Hospital with multiple injuries including a broken arm, broken ribs, a punctured lung and torn ligaments in his right knee.

Magistrate Michael O'Driscoll granted Murtagh bail under strict conditions including a suspension of his learner's licence and a curfew.

The matter returns to court on March 25.