A man who crashed into a parked car and hit a tree in Mount Egerton last year recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.265, five times the legal limit.
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Jason Benson was convicted and fined $1500 plus costs, and disqualified from driving for 52 months, after pleading guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The court was told police were called to the scene at Mount Egerton in August last year.
Benson was driving on Main Road when he collided with the rear of a parked station wagon, which flipped onto its roof, before he drove into a tree.
He was taken to hospital, and a blood sample was taken, which revealed the 0.265 reading.
The court was also told Benson had a prior drink driving conviction from 2010.
He said he had been using alcohol to help with his anxiety, "which is no excuse," he added.
He has since begun seeing a counsellor and is on a mental health plan.
On the day, he had let someone go from his work, and didn't plan to drive.
He said he didn't remember hitting the car, and had suffered a major concussion.
Magistrate Alan Spillane told Benson if someone had been killed in the accident, he would be facing a minimum of four years in jail.
"I think about that every day," he replied.
"I'm sorry for all this, and I'm lucky to be here, to be honest."
Mr Spillane said it was an "extraordinary reading".
"Given the careless driving aspect of this case, I seriously considered increasing your time off the road," he said.
"It's extreme dereliction of duty as a motorist, I'm surprised you could drive in that state.
"It's something you should be deeply ashamed of."
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