Drunk man not aware of hitting car on motorway

A grossly intoxicated Papamoa man whose car collided with another vehicle containing two young children told police he had no idea that he had hit anything.

Bouncer Phillip Michael Clark, 48, pleaded guilty in Tauranga District Court last week to one charge each of drink-driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop and ascertain injury.

Clark was heading north on State Highway 1 on June 20 after drinking in central Wellington.

Clark's vehicle began to veer across the road into the middle lane, the same lane as the complainants were travelling in, about 30m behind him.

Clark was seen weaving across two lanes of the motorway without indicating, and police were alerted.

As Clark passed the Johnsonville off-ramp, he collided with the other vehicle.

The occupants of the vehicle, including two young children, managed to pull off to the side of the motorway safely.

All were left shaken but uninjured.

A police officer signalled for Clark to stop but he drove on, and was eventually pulled over.

A subsequent evidential breath test gave a reading of 795 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - almost twice the legal limit of 400mcg.

Clark's lawyer, Rebekah Webby, told Judge Paul Geoghegan that they were his first dangerous driving and drink-driving offences and urged the judge to impose a community work sentence. He was remanded on bail for sentence on August 20.

- APN