King fined for fleeing crash over the limit

FORMER AFL player David King has been fined for fleeing the scene of a car crash and drink-driving in Melbourne last year.

The one-time Kangaroos’ premiership footballer appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to exceeding the blood alcohol level of 0.05, failing to provide a name and address at the scene of a crash and careless driving.

The court was told King was driving his grey Nissan X-Trail at 12.10am on October 3 when he crashed into a stationary taxi at Southbank.

He initially stopped, getting out to ask if the driver and taxi passenger, Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt, were OK before shaking their hands and driving away.

King’s lawyer told magistrate Susan Wakeling that his client didn’t realise there was any damage to the taxi before driving off. Police later arrested King nearby at Crown Casino after which he blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.10 – twice the legal limit.

King, 46, who stepped aside from some of his Fox Sports commentary duties after being charged in October, was on Monday fined $1200, had his licence suspended for 10 months and will have an interlock device fitted to his car.