Marsden resident, Tuan Thawng, 28, pleads guilty to drink-driving at Beenleigh Magistrates Court

A man who had to be rescued from his car is lucky to be alive after getting behind the wheel while more than five times over the legal alcohol limit.

A man, who faced court after he was found driving unconscious with his foot on the accelerator while more than five times the legal alcohol limit, revealed to a court why he did it.

Marsden resident Tuan Thawng pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court to one count of drink driving after the incident on April 7.

The 28-year-old man was found sitting unconscious in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in Logan Central when a witness stepped in to stop the car, a court has heard.

The court heard the woman found Mr Thawng in an intoxicated, unconscious state before taking the car keys out of ignition and calling police.

“A witness told the police that the defendant was slumped over the driver's seat with his eyes closed,” police prosecutor, Sergeant Donna Kay, said.

“He had his foot on the pedal and the car was revving prior to the police’s arrival.”

Tuan Thawng, 28, faced court on drink driving charged. Picture: Facebook

The court also heard the witness claimed she did not know if the man was intoxicated or having a medical episode due to his behaviour.

“The defendant was disorientated, had slurred speech and blood shot eyes,” Sergeant Kay said.

“He smelt of liquor and his sentences did not make any sense.”

Mr Thawng admitted to drinking six Heineken beers before being tested, where he returned a breath analysis reading of 0.271 per cent, the court heard.

“That is a terribly, terribly high reading,” Magistrate, Louise Shepherd, said.

Mr Thawng, who came self-represented, said he and his partner back in Myanmar (Burma) were having difficulties which led him to drinking excessively.

“The reason for the high reading is that on that day I had a problem with my wife and that made me upset so I bought more and I drank more,” Mr Thawng’s interpreter said.

The court heard Mr Thawng had previous charges and was caught drink driving two years earlier.

“In 2020 you were convicted and sentenced for the same offence where the reading was 0.512, which again was very high,” Magistrate Shepherd said.

Mr Thawng was convicted and received 18 months probation.