Crash took out power to hundreds

A drunk driver crashed his vehicle into a power pole, cutting electricity to hundreds of homes in North Taranaki, a court heard.

About 900 properties lost power after Kevin Francis Henare Moore crashed his ute on Mouatt St, Waitara, about 9.30am on October 18.

The force of the crash snapped the pole in half, bringing it and its wires down on the vehicle.

Emergency services were called, but Moore and his passenger both made it out safely.

Moore appeared in New Plymouth District Court on Thursday and admitted one charge each of careless driving and driving with excess breath alcohol.

In court, police prosecutor detective sergeant Dave McKenzie said Moore underwent an evidential breath test which revealed an alcohol reading of 600 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

The adult legal limit is 250mcgs. In explanation, Moore told police he had been drinking alcohol the night before.

McKenzie said Moore had been driving at speed while passing a About 900 properties lost power when Kevin Francis Henare Moore crashed his ute into a power pole on Mouatt St, Waitara, about 9.30am on October 18. turning car when he lost control of his vehicle.

But defence lawyer Susan Hurley said her client, who has previous convictions for drink driving, had to take evasive action.

She said the vehicle he was following had indicated to turn left but instead turned right.

Moore quickly reacted but his foot became stuck on the accelerator and then the crash occurred, Hurley said.

No reparation was sought for the power pole as Moore had already made arrangements to pay for it, she said.

Judge Chris Sygrove fined him $600 plus court costs and disqualified him from driving for one year and one day.

Moore was convicted and discharged on the careless driving charge.