AN ASHFIELD motorist who crashed into the back of another car was over the drink-driving limit, a court was told on Monday.
A motorist slowed down as she came up to a queue of traffic at a junction on the A38 at South Normanton and saw a car approaching at speed.
“She said the driver appeared to be panicking. His hands were moving frantically from side to side at the wheel.
“She had a brief moment to move into a space to the left but then felt an impact at the rear of her vehicle,” Helen Griffiths, prosecuting, told Chesterfield magistrates.
The victim’s Volkswagen and Lee Marshall’s Ford Fiesta collided and a third vehicle - a Daewoo Lanos - was also damaged during the 5.30pm crash.
“She spoke to the defendant who apologised and said it was his fault. He said it was going to be his birthday the following day and he had had a drink,” said Mrs Griffiths, adding that no-one was injured in the collision on 15th July.
Police were called and Marshall (25), of Orchid Close, Kirkby, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. He went on to give a reading of 98mgs of alcohol in 100mls of blood, the limit being 80mgs.
Marshall admitted drink-driving and was fined £225, with £85 costs. His 14-month road ban will be cut by a quarter if he passes a drink-driving rehabilitation course.
“I know I’ve done wrong. It’s my own fault,” he told the court.