21-y-o crash driver blew three times the limit

A 21-YEAR-OLD man who crashed his car on the outskirts of Toowoomba while driving to his country town home blew a breath/alcohol reading more than three times the legal limit.

Police were called by witnesses about 10.10pm, November 12, reporting an agitated driver having pulled off a headlight of his utility which he had just crashed into a paddock off Old Goombungee Road.

By the time police arrived, Zachary John Dioth had driven off but the witnesses had taken down his car’s registration and provided a description of the driver, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

Police found the 21-year-old 2km away changing a shredded tyre and noted the vehicle was a missing a headlight, police prosecutor Sergeant Natalie Bugden told the court.

Dioth denied he had been driving, telling police two other people had been with him but they had since left.

Admitting to having 10 heavy beers and two Jack Daniels, he maintained he had not driven though police pointed out he resembled the description provided by witnesses, Sgt Bugden said.

Dioth blew a breath/alcohol reading of 0.158, she said.

The self-represented Dioth pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of liquor.

The resident of Haden told the court he had only driven after a mate had called him for help and he had made the poor decision to drive.

Telling him that driving with such a high alcohol level put people at risk, Magistrate Howard Osborne fined Dioth $1000 and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for nine months.