Car disintegrated on drunken drive

A Buller man who continued driving a car as it fell apart around him has been convicted of dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

The Westport District Court heard yesterday that Brook Ingham, 19, drove his car home to Hector, 32km northeast of Westport after consuming a large amount of alcohol at a party in Waimangaroa, 15km away, on July 4.

On the way he had a minor crash, damaging the car and its tyres but he continued driving until the tyres left their rims, police prosecutor Mark Harris said.

The court was told bits of the car flew off, narrowly missing houses as he drove through Granity.

The rims broke but Ingham kept driving, damaging the road.

The car's front suspension collapsed and it stopped near Hector.

Ingham asked a passer-by for a push, but the person refused so he left the car and walked home.

When police went to his house Ingham admitted driving, but told them the damage had happened at the party and he did not want to leave his car there so he drove it home.

He was breathalysed and recorded a reading of 899mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The limit for anyone aged under 20 is 150mcg.

Mr Harris said $4000 was being sought for the damage to the road.

Judge Noel Walsh said Ingham had been convicted of driving at twice the legal alcohol limit 19 months ago. He remanded him to August 14 for sentencing.

"You have a problem with the grog," the judge told Ingham.

- NZPA