Captain Morgan consumption causes single vehicle accident

Zac Rudland entered an early plea of guilty in Mount Isa Magistrates Court on Monday April 8, and was sentenced to 12 month license disqualification and a $1050 fine for driving under the influence of alcohol having told the court he consumed "about 20 cans" of rum.

The police prosecutor told the court how Rudland's Holden Astra hit the gutter and caused a single vehicle accident on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Sapphire Street on April 2.

"He hit the gutter which caused a flat tire and he lost control of the vehicle," the police prosecutor said.

"Police witnessed the defendant's blood shot eyes and slurring of words and conducted a road side breath test confirmed a reading of 0.179."

Rudland said at that point he was not thinking at all.

"I was just walking my dogs and next minute I was in the car driving," Rudland said.

"I had about 20 cans of Captain Morgan.

"I know how much the accident could have affected my family and my wife had a strong talking to me about it."

Mount Isa Magistrate James Morton said Rudland was very lucky that no one was hurt.

"You have to be one of the stupidest people I have seen today," Magistrate Morton said.

"What if you hit a child - they play on the curbside all the time.

"If your child was nearby -  you would be pissed off and wanting the court to take the driver's licence away."

When Rudland was sentenced he surrendered his driver's license to the police prosecutor. 

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