A WARRNAMBOOL driver who fled an accident scene after crashing into the Merrivale Recreation Reserve fence following an argument with his girlfriend has lost his licence for six months.
Nicholas Daniel Williams, 22, of Bradley Street, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to driving in a dangerous manner and failing to report an accident.
Police alleged that on December 16 last year Williams went to Lake Pertobe for a work Christmas party where he argued with his girlfriend and then drove off.
He had consumed a least six cans of pre-mixed bourbon, drove west on Merrivale Drive, veered, lost control and skidded into the recreation reserve fence. Williams jogged off from the crash scene.
Police went to Williams' home but he wasn't there and when contacted by a friend Williams refused to disclose where he was at the time.
Williams later admitted to police he was travelling about 100km/h before crashing, he claimed he was frightened and offered to help council workers fix the fence.
He also admitted he was angry when he was driving.
Defence counsel Kathryn Moloney said her client was frightened of the consequences of his driving but had instructed her he was not alcohol influenced.
She said Williams was incredibly stupid and cowardly but was genuinely remorseful and it was fortunate that no one was injured. Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said one of the more reasonable explanations for someone leaving an accident scene was that person did not want to be alcohol breath tested.
He said being angry and upset was likely to lead to driving almost as bad as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Williams was convicted, fined $1000 with $69.70 costs and his licence was cancelled for six months.
* A Cobden district man was fined $1750 and lost his licence for 14 months after drink-driving to get his child's computer game. Paul Morrissey, 45, of Camperdown-Cobden Road, Bostocks Creek, pleaded guilty to exceeding 100km/h (114) and recorded an alcohol reading of .072 when intercepted by police in his driveway by police on February 3 this year.