Mark Ford pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle while intoxicated

An extremely drunk driver mounted an island, hit a give way sign, before smashing into a power pole, with shocked bystanders forced to render first aid.

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AN extremely drunk driver mounted an island, hit a giveway sign, before smashing into a powerpole, with shocked bystanders forced to render first aid.

Mark Ford pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle and adversely affected by an intoxicating substance in the Townsville Magistrates Court on April 28.

The court heard the 28-year-old had been at a work function on December 5, 2020, when he got behind the wheel of his car while heavily intoxicated.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Erin Collis said Ford failed to slow down when he travelled through a roundabout at The Strand before he drove over a traffic island and struck a give way sign causing significant damage.

Ford continued driving before he struck a power pole at speed.

The court heard witnesses rendered first aid before paramedics arrived at the scene and told police there was a strong smell of liquor coming from Ford.

Mark Ford was more than four times the legal limit when he crashed his car into a power pole at The Strand. Photo: Facebook.

Sen Constable Collis said witnesses described seeing “sparks flying” from the top of the pole after Ford hit it.

A certificate of analysis was tendered to the court showing a reading of 0.212, more than four times the legal limit.

Sen Constable Collis said the vehicle underwent a mechanical inspection following the crash and was deemed to be in a satisfactory condition prior to the accident.

Ford appeared in court with no criminal history and two pages of traffic history.

His solicitor Tracy Brown said her client was employed as a bridge builder for BMD.

Ms Brown said the father-of-two regretted his actions and had since engaged in alcohol counselling since the incident.

Magistrate Kenneth Taylor said the incident and subsequent charge was “particularly serious”.

He said a driver’s licence was a “right and not a privilege”.

Ford was fined $1500 which was referred to SPER.

He was disqualified from holding a licence for nine months.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Mark Ford pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle while intoxicated