Drink-driver in crash was three times the limit
A former sailor lost control of his car on a dual carriageway and crashed through a fence after drinking vodka.
Piotr Wysocki, 49, drove hisVauxhallZaf ira off the A 182 Washington Highway dual carriageway at tea time on Monday, December 27.
The accident happened after a car in front braked sharply, causing Wysocki, of
Wensleydale Avenue, Pen shaw, to skid.
Magistrates in South Tyneside heard passing firefighters came to his aid, but they also called police.
A road side breath test readings howedWysockiw as three times the limit.
He is now starting a 46-month roads’ ban for his second drink-drive offence in five years.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said :“He lost control of his vehiclenear the Fat field junction.
“He came off the carriageway and hit a fence at 5.30pm. His was a positive breath test at the roadside.
“He also has a previous relevant disqualification in 2016, so a minimum ban is going to be three years.”
Wysocki gave a breath test reading of108mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving.
The court heard he had worked for the Merchant Navy for 13 years.
Greg Flaxen, defending, said: “Piotr is quite blunt in that in Polish culture vodka is drunk perhaps more often.
“He says that he quite genuinely didn’t feel the effects as others may have felt. When he says he felt ok, I believe him.
“I think we’re all thankful that this was not a lot worse and that there were no injuries or damage.”
Wysocki was also handed a 12-month community order and fined £40.