A drink-driver had to be pulled from his blazing car by workers after crashing at roadworks on the A9 near Dunblane.
Anthony Todd had downed half a bottle of rum before the crash in the early hours of the morning on August 28 last year.
He failed to see a set of traffic lights and hit the back of a waiting car, before veering off the road.
Drunken Todd’s Citroën C3 burst into flames and he had to be helped from the vehicle.
Stirling Sheriff Court heard the 63-year-old still had a half-empty bottle of booze on the passenger seat.
Crash drama
Fiscal depute Ann Orr told the court: “At 2.30am there were roadworks being carried out on the A9.
“The accused’s vehicle was seen coming along the southbound carriageway and hitting another vehicle that was sitting, stationary, at the traffic lights.
“The vehicle spun out, hitting the verge and hitting traffic cones. The vehicle then caught fire.
“One worker went to the assistance of the accused, who was in the driver seat and saw a half empty bottle of Captain Morgan’s rum in the passenger seat.
“Another worker had to help as the accused was struggling to walk by himself.
“Police attended and the vehicle was in flames when they arrived.
“The accused was in the central reservation and police had to help him over the barrier. They could smell alcohol.
“An ambulance was called because he was struggling to breathe and appeared to be in pain.
“When speaking to police on the roadside, he said he had had half a bottle of Captain Morgan’s.”
Guilty
Todd was taken to hospital for checks and a blood alcohol reading more than 1.5 times the legal limit was taken.
Representing himself in court, Todd, of Little Lever, near Bolton, said: “I know what I did was wrong.”
He admitted driving carelessly and with excess alcohol (80mgs/ 50).
Sentence was deferred for reports and he was banned from driving in the interim.
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