Hurricanes player convicted of drink-driving

A Hurricanes rugby player has been convicted of drink-driving after he crashed his car while texting as he drove home from a night out in Wellington.

David Smith, 23, was driving on Glenmore Street in Wellington on May 24 while checking a text message when he crossed the centre line and hit a parked car about 7.18am, pushing it into two others and causing damage, the Dominion Post reported today.

He had an excess breath alcohol of 821 mcg - more than twice the legal limit of 400 - and told police he had had several vodkas with lemonade.

The incident was a day after the Hurricanes were knocked out of the Super 14 after a semifinal loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Smith pleaded guilty in Wellington District Court yesterday to driving with excess breath alcohol and careless use of a motor vehicle.

Smith, a Samoan national, asked Judge Craig Thompson for a discharge without conviction.

His lawyer Noel Sainsbury said a conviction would mean Smith's work permit could be revoked, meaning he would have to leave the country.

Smith had organised transport for the owners of the cars he had damaged, and would pay for the damage.

Judge Thompson refused to accept possible immigration problems outweighed the seriousness of the offence.

Smith was fined $800 and disqualified from driving for nine months.

- NZPA