Drunk driver blames burrito for crash
<p dir="ltr">After slamming into a line of traffic stopped in front of him, a 65-year-old man has blamed being distracted by his burrito for the crash - rather than the beers he’d had before getting behind the wheel.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ross Coeland had picked up a burrito on his way home in early June, claiming that he was distracted enough by his food that he didn’t see the car ahead had stopped.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After telling police he had been drinking, Mr Coeland was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time, having been most recently convicted for the same charge in July 2017, per the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/drunk-driver-covered-in-burrito-after-crashing-into-line-of-traffic/UKPA5HDIYUNXHYH5KTLXE5P7BE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On this occasion, Mr Coeland was found to be three times over the limit.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Appearing briefly in Nelson District Court, Mr Coeland admitted that he had been driving over the limit on June 2, with the police summary of facts showing that he returned a reading of 861 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - equivalent to a reading 0.08 BAC in Australia.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Due to his intoxication and distraction the defendant failed to see a line of traffic which had slowed to a crawl,” police prosecution told the court.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When he eventually noticed the slowing traffic and took evasive action, it was too late.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"When the defendant noticed the traffic ahead of him, he slammed his brakes on and skidded, crashing hard into the rear of the trailing vehicle,” the prosecution said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When police found him, Mr Coeland was covered in his ill-fated burrito.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He has been remanded on bail for sentencing in September, as well as for a pre-sentence and alcohol and drug report.</p>
<p dir="ltr">According to <a href="https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roadcode/general-road-code/road-code/about-limits/alcohol-and-drugs-limits/#:~:text=Your%20licence%20will%20be%20suspended,alcohol%20per%20litre%20of%20breath." target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Transport Agency</a>, Mr Coeland could see his licence suspended, a fine of up to $6000 or a prison sentence of up to two years if it is his third offence, and the court impose a “zero alcohol licence”.</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>
