Man disqualified from driving for toilet-block crash
An Oamaru man who crashed a car into the Awamoa Park toilet block after a late-night drive has been sentenced in court.
Tevita Lomu, 22, appeared in the Oamaru District Court last Wednesday, facing charges of careless driving and driving with excess blood alcohol.
The court heard that at 3.23am on June 1, Lomu was driving along Severn St when he clipped the Oamaru Creek Bridge.
He then lost control on a sweeping right-hand bend leading into Wansbeck St, veering off the road and crashing into the public toilet block at Awamoa Park.
He recorded a blood-alcohol level of 243mg, which Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said was very high.
There were "fortunately no injuries" although the Environmental Scientific Research result of the man's blood test was "very disappointing".
"The first impact was when his vehicle hit the bridge on Severn St by the skatepark where his car's wing mirror and paint from the door handles on the left-hand side of the vehicle were left by the bridge," Sgt Woodbridge said.
"He was seen by several witnesses headed up Severn St and then without braking he has gone across two traffic islands, narrowly missing a pedestrian crossing before crashing into the public toilets in Awamoa Park."
Lomu fled on foot and was stopped by police near Weston Rd.
He was spoken to a short time later.
Police said he exhibited signs of alcohol consumption and admitted drinking prior to crashing his motor vehicle.
In explanation Lomu stated he had two beers.
He had not previously appeared before the court.
Lomu was convicted and discharged on the careless driving charge.
But on the charge of driving with excess blood alcohol, Judge Murray Hunt ordered that Lomu be disqualified from driving for 10 months and a zero alcohol licence applied beyond that date with supervision for nine months.
Lomu was also ordered to pay $5000 reparation for the significant damage to the public toilets and $115.34 for blood analyst fees.
The Awamoa toilet block has now reopened after it was closed for a month for repairs.
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Otago Daily Times
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Man disqualified from driving for toilet-block crash
The Awamoa Park toilets were closed last month after significant damage. PHOTO: SUPPLIED An Oamaru man who crashed a car into the Awamoa Park toilet block after a late-night drive has been sentenced in court. Tevita Lomu, 22, appeared in the Oamaru District Court last Wednesday, facing charges of careless driving and driving with excess blood alcohol. The court heard that at 3.23am on June 1, Lomu was driving along Severn St when he clipped the Oamaru Creek Bridge. He then lost control on a sweeping right-hand bend leading into Wansbeck St, veering off the road and crashing into the public toilet block at Awamoa Park. He recorded a blood-alcohol level of 243mg, which Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said was very high. There were "fortunately no injuries" although the Environmental Scientific Research result of the man's blood test was "very disappointing". "The first impact was when his vehicle hit the bridge on Severn St by the skatepark where his car's wing mirror and paint from the door handles on the left-hand side of the vehicle were left by the bridge," Sgt Woodbridge said. "He was seen by several witnesses headed up Severn St and then without braking he has gone across two traffic islands, narrowly missing a pedestrian crossing before crashing into the public toilets in Awamoa Park." Lomu fled on foot and was stopped by police near Weston Rd. He was spoken to a short time later. Police said he exhibited signs of alcohol consumption and admitted drinking prior to crashing his motor vehicle. In explanation Lomu stated he had two beers. He had not previously appeared before the court. Lomu was convicted and discharged on the careless driving charge. But on the charge of driving with excess blood alcohol, Judge Murray Hunt ordered that Lomu be disqualified from driving for 10 months and a zero alcohol licence applied beyond that date with supervision for nine months. Lomu was also ordered to pay $5000 reparation for the significant damage to the public toilets and $115.34 for blood analyst fees. The Awamoa toilet block has now reopened after it was closed for a month for repairs.
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