Jorge Aguirre: Drunk driver sentenced in Southport court after fleeing scene of M1 crash

A man had to be tracked into nearby bushland after hitting another car and crashing on the M1 while more than triple the alcohol limit.

A dad was more than triple the alcohol limit when he crashed on the M1 and fled into nearby bushland, needing to be tracked down by the police dog squad.

Jorge Eduardo Aguirre was spotted driving at speed south along the motorway after 8pm on December 28, with several members of the public reporting their concerns to police.

Southport Magistrates Court was told it was at Pimpama that Aguirre veered into the next lane and clipped another car, causing him to lose control and slam into a concrete barrier. Both vehicles were damaged in the collision.

Prosecutor Erin Garland said Aguirre ran from the scene into nearby bushland but was soon sniffed out by the dog squad. He recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.178.

Ms Garland said the 41-year-old told police he did not mean to hit the car but had drunk a large quantity of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Jorge Aguirre. Picture: Facebook/Jorge Aguirre

“His reactions would have also been diminished, and it’s in my submission only by sheer luck that he has neither killed nor caused serious injury not to only himself but the other drivers on the road,” Ms Garland said.

The court was told Aguirre’s licence was suspended after the crash and that he had since taken steps to begin addressing his issues with alcohol.

It was heard the father had no criminal history, but had entries on his traffic history for speeding and driving at almost four times the legal limit.

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said it was “not surprising” to hear Aguirre had struggled with alcohol abuse for some time and commended his ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

“In your case not only was there the potential risk for other road users, there was the actual collision that occurred … it is a busy road and no doubt there were a number of other vehicles at that time,” Ms Thompson said.

Aguirre pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

He was sentenced to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Originally published as Jorge Aguirre: Drunk driver sentenced in Southport court after fleeing scene of M1 crash