Drunk driver causes crash, tries to drink more

Photo / File Photo / File photo

A drunken man who caused an accident in Wanganui wanted to have one more drink after being stopped by police.

Michael David McIntyre, 51, reached for an open cask of wine he had in his car to take a swig when the police caught up with him following the crash.

He was later found to have a breath-alcohol reading of 1490mcg per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400mcg.

McIntyre was sentenced to six months' home detention when he appeared before Judge Dugald Matheson in Wanganui District Court last week for failing to stop after an accident, careless driving and driving with an excess breath-alcohol level.

On November 1, 2012, McIntyre had stopped at a T-intersection in Wanganui as he waited to turn right.

He gave way to two vehicles but missed a third and drove straight into the path of a large truck.

The driver of the truck managed to avoid McIntyre's car.

McIntyre, an invalid beneficiary, drove away from the crash.

Police found him an hour later, 3km from the scene of the incident.

Court documents said that when McIntyre was stopped, he went to take a swig from the open cask of wine he had in his car.

He told police he'd been rammed by the truck.

Judge Matheson convicted McIntyre on all charges. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay $3200 in reparation.