A drunken motorist took to his heels after causing a four-vehicle smash in a Kinross-shire village.
Brian Richardson was nearly three times the drink-drive limit when he attempted a Kamakazi manoeuvre between a lorry and an oncoming van in Blairingone.
He collided with both vehicles before careering across the road and ploughing into a parked car.
A man hunt was launched when injured Richardson got out of his wrecked Renault Megane and vanished down the street.
The 34-year-old appeared via video link at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted driving dangerously by attempting to overtake an HGV while unsafe to do so on the village’s Main Street on January 20.
Richardson, of Navitie Park, Ballingry, also pled guilty to drink-driving, driving without insurance and attempting to pervert the course of justice by giving police a fake name.
Weaved into gap between vehicles
Fiscal depute Bill Kermode said Richardson was travelling behind a car and a lorry along the A977 Kincardine to Kinross road just before 10am.
As the vehicles entered Blairingone, a van approached from the opposite direction, he said.
“As the car in front and the lorry approached each other, the accused moved into the opposing lane and began to overtake, effectively driving straight towards the oncoming van.
“The accused attempted to weave through a gap but there was insufficient room.”
The van tried to swerved but was unable to avoid a collision.
Richardson hit both vehicles but kept travelling along the street.
“This manoeuvre was made on a pedestrian crossing but there was no one using it at the time,” said Mr Kermode.
“Richardson’s car went across the carriageway and struck a parked car.”
The court heard the van and lorry came to a stop, blocking the road.
Richardson turned his damaged car around in an attempt to go back the way he had come.
“However, the road was impassible,” said the fiscal depute.
“The accused’s car was damaged and had lost a tyre.
“Householders came out to see what had happened.
“The accused got out of his vehicle and was described as ‘rambling.’ He appeared to be intoxicated.”
Richardson ran off and was lost to sight, the court heard.
“Witnesses gave a description of the accused to police and the area was searched,” said Mr Kermode.
“At 10.50am, officers saw the accused walking along the A977 between Blairingone and Powmill.
“He matched the description given and had a fresh cut to his forehead.
“He was staggering and was slurring his words.”
Richardson gave a false name and date-of-birth to investigators, before failing a roadside breath test.
Lucky escape
Solicitor Andrew McLaughlin, defending, said: “He knows that his actions on this day were extremely irresponsible.
“He made a number of bad decisions, including getting behind the wheel in the first place.
“He realises it was lucky it was not more serious.”
Sheriff Sheena Fraser jailed Richardson for 80 days and banned him from driving for 20 months.
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