A DRIVER who crashed his car has avoided conviction after he recorded a blood alcohol reading of more than three times over the legal limit.
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The 23-year-old man appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The court heard about 12.40am on October 23 last year, police were called to a single-vehicle crash in Epsom.
When officers arrived at Station Street, they found the man outside of the crashed car, trying to fix the damaged tyre.
A preliminary breath test showed the presence of alcohol in his system. A second test showed a blood alcohol reading of 0.151, which was more than three times over the legal limit.
The court heard the man was cooperative with police and told officers he had been out drinking with friends.
He said he drank four or five schooners at a Golden Square pub before driving his friend home to Epsom.
The man told police he was turning onto Station Street when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the curb.
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The man's car was not impounded but was instead towed at his own cost.
The man's defence lawyer told the court her client was remorseful and apologetic about the incident.
The lawyer said the man had stopped drinking, was riding a bike to work, and was paying to fix the damaged vehicle which belonged to a friend.
The lawyer submitted a fine would be an appropriate sentence given the man had no prior convictions.
Magistrate Rodney Higgins fined the man $500 without conviction. The 23-year-old's licence was also suspended for 15 months.
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