A DRINK driver was more than three times over the limit when he crashed into a sign, damaging his car so badly that a short time later it completely stopped working, a court has heard.
Kevin Hayes, 21, had been driving in the area of Dana and Lydiard streets during the early hours of April 8 this year when an unknown vehicle slightly entered an intersection.
Hayes took evasive action and is believed to have collided with a sign on a median strip.
The collision caused severe damage to the front left side of the car.
Hayes fronted Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to drink driving and careless driving.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Pepe Brown said that after the collision Hayes drove to the McDonald’s car park on Sturt Street.
After a short time he left the car park and had driven about 10 metres along Sturt Street when the vehicle ceased working.
Following a triple-zero call police attended, as well as the CFA and Ballarat City Council due to a large amount of oil leaking from the car.
About two hours after the crash Hayes was breath tested and blew 0.151.
When interviewed, Hayes told police he had chosen to drive because it would have cost “a ridiculous amount” to catch a taxi to his Smythesdale home.
Representing himself in court, Hayes admitted his actions were wrong.
“I don’t have much to say really,” he said. “I was fully aware of what I was doing.”
Magistrate Kay Robertson took little time to sentence Hayes, giving him a six month good behaviour bond with conviction.
He was also disqualified from driving for 15 months, and ordered to attend a Road Trauma Awareness Seminar and pay $200 to the court fund.
“I agree it’s difficult in the country, but we’ve got to keep people in the country alive,” Ms Robertson said.
“If you don’t do it (the Road Trauma Awareness Seminar) you’ll be brought back to court and you’ll be sentenced again.”