Caused crash - went missing for three days
A man was found in a hay shed in a disorientated and dehydrated state three days after fleeing the scene of a head- on collision he had caused in West Sligo.
As a result of the crash at Camphill, Culleens on March 22nd, Brian Rutledge of 5 The Inlet, Castlecove, Enniscrone admitted a charge of careless driving at Sligo District Court last Thursday.
Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told the court that the defendant had veered across the road to its incorrect side causing a collision with an oncoming car.
The defendant subsequently left the scene and was missing for a number of days afterwards.
Following a search involving a wide range of resources the defendant was found in a disorientated condition.
Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor ( defending) said Rutledge had been missing for three days and was found in a bad state in a hay shed.
“He could have died from exposure,” said Mr McGovern.
He said the defendant was in good health now. He was a “hardworking, decent man” who had returned from the US in 2011 and was operating his own business in Enniscrone as a floorer.
Mr McGovern said the defendant had no recollection of the accident or what went on for the three days after the crash.
In reply to Judge Kevin Kilrane, Mr McGovern said the defendant was in per- fect health prior to the accident.
Mr McGovern said there was no explanation as to why the defendant had been on his incorrect side of the road.
The solicitor said Rutledge was found by a search party in the shed.
He had no shoes or socks on and was dishevelled, dehydrated and was trapped there.
He was brought to Sligo University Hospital and was released after a day.
Asked what he thought of the incident, Inspector Kilcoyne said he had a certain view of it.
Judge Kilrane said he would reduce the charge of dangerous driving to careless driving and impose a fine of € 500 with witness expenses of € 230.
When this was done, Judge Kilrane told the defendant: “I’m very suspicious re the circumstances of this accident.
“You were driving on the wrong side of the road and you go missing with no real explanation afterwards other than that you were in some form of a state. I’ve suspicions why you went missing.”