Simon Lorenz caused multiple collisions drink-driving across Central Coast suburbs

A construction worker was so drunk he could not remember hitting a power pole on his way home but did manage to swing past McDonald’s drive-thru.

Simon Lorenz pleaded guilty to drink-driving after mounting the kerb while going past McDonald's drive thru. Picture: supplied

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A man mounted the gutter, crossed onto the wrong side of the road and clipped a power pole, which punctured his tyre on a drunken trip home, a court has heard.

Simon Andrew Lorenz, of Toukley, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence at Wyong Local Court on Monday after a terrified motorist followed him home, giving police constant updates of the 37-year-old’s wild trip.

An agreed set of police facts tendered to court state that about 6.30pm on Sunday, July 21, last year a Great Wall duel cab utility was seen travelling south on the Pacific Highway at San Remo past North Lakes Tavern.

As Lorenz crossed the bridge at Charmhaven he was seen crossing onto the wrong side of the road. Picture: Google

“As it was passing over the bridge at Charmhaven it crossed to the wrong side of the road over double unbroken lines and was continually observed driving in a dangerous manner,” the facts read.

“The vehicle was followed by a witness due to the fear of the dangerous driving.”

Lorenz pulled into Lake Haven McDonald’s where he bought some food through the drive through.

“While going through the drive through the driver hit the gutter while driving,” the facts read.

The shocked witness followed him onto Wallarah Rd where he travelled towards Toukley.

Just after the Toukley bridge Lorenz “mounted the northern kerb of the road way and sideswiped a power pole and then re-entered the road way”.

This punctured the rear tyre.

Simon Lorenz (blue shirt) leaving Wyong Local Court with his solicitor Erin Nulty after being sentenced to a six-month intensive corrections order for drink-driving.

He continued along Main Rd at Toukley for several kilometres to the Ambulance Station where he turned left into Peel St, right into James Rd and right into Alice Pde where he pulled into a driveway.

“Police were receiving constant updates from the witness in relation to the actions of the vehicle and accused which led police to attend (an address in) Toukley,” the facts read.

When police arrived they found the ute parked out the front with Lorenz and his dad inspecting the damage.

“His speech was slurred, his eyes were red and glassy, he was unsteady on his feet and his breath smelt strongly of intoxicating liquor,” the facts read.

Police arrived to find Lorenz (blue shirt) and his father inspecting his damaged ute.

Lorenz made “full and frank admissions” of being the driver, telling police he had driven from his girlfriend’s place but did not remember hitting the power pole.

His solicitor Erin Nulty told the court Lorenz was employed in the construction industry and had reduced his alcohol consumption considerably since losing his licence.

The court heard he had previously lost his licence for a year after returning a mid-range blood alcohol reading in 2010.

Magistrate Caleb Franklin said Lorenz came to the attention of other motorists and was involved in “multiple collisions”.

“It’s a very serious example of drive while under the influence,” he said.

Lorenz was convicted, sentenced to a six-month intensive corrections order and ordered to undertake 80 hours of community service.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to be on an interlock device for two years after he gets his licence back.