Conditional imprisonment and fine after alcohol accident

The 27-year-old tunnel builder had 0.5 per thousand alcohol in his blood on the afternoon of August 7th on Möllstrasse near Flattach when he was driving a column at 177 km / h – as a photo taken by one of his three co-drivers on the speedometer proves – drove by. When a truck in front of him tried to turn left, the handlebars could no longer brake. The car crashed into the truck. The driver and another occupant of his car were slightly injured, the other two occupants seriously injured. The almost 200-hp car, which does not belong to the driver but to one of the passengers, was only scrap value after the accident.

Defendant relies on gaps in memory

The defendant pleaded guilty to judge Dietmar Wassertheurer on Thursday. He said he couldn’t remember all of the details. His memory only resumed when he saw the truck in front of him. It was only afterwards that he realized what he had done. Today he doesn’t drive that fast anymore, he said, and when he sees a truck he gets scared. The judge made it clear to the accused that at a speed of 177 km / h he only needed five seconds for a distance of 250 meters. When asked whether this was a normal speed, the defendant replied no.

Residual alcohol not considered

When asked why he got behind the wheel while drunk, the 27-year-old said he underestimated that. In the evening at home he “lolled” a bit and drank beer – so much that he fell asleep sitting down. He did not think that he would still have residual alcohol in his blood the next day.

Judge Dietmar Wassertheuer sentenced the accused to a conditional prison sentence of six months and a fine of 7,200 euros. He also has to pay the three co-drivers partial pain allowance and pay for the damage to the car. The judgment is not final.

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