Christian Espinoza: Ashfield man guilty to high range drink driving on Frederick Street
A Sydney man has fronted court after he was busted driving more than three times above the legal blood alcohol limit on a Inner West road which has a reputation for being dangerous.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Sydney man was busted driving more than three times above the legal drinking limit on a notoriously dangerous road in Sydney’s Inner West.
Ashfield man Christian Espinoza, 44, appeared at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving.
According to documents tendered to court, Espinoza caught the attention of police just after 12am on the morning of January 28.
“(Police) observed his vehicle travelling without its headlights operating and swerving from lane to lane without indicating,” court documents state.
A court heard Espinoza was soon pulled over by police at the intersection of Parramatta Rd and Frederick St, Haberfield.
The Ashfield man then told the police he had drunk about eight glasses of wine in a spate of four hours and had only eaten dumplings while drinking, the court heard.
After taking a breath test, he returned a reading of 0.171 — more than three times the legal blood alcohol limit.
The police facts stated Espinoza smelt heavily of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and slurred his words.
“(In custody) he was initially compliant however (he) became hostile and verbally abusive towards police,” police facts state.
Frederick St, Ashfield — where Espinoza was busted drink driving — has gained a reputation as a dangerous stretch of road.
In 2022, after an 87-year-old grandfather was killed when he was allegedly hit by a car while crossing the Ashfield street, there was a community campaign to install traffic lights with a change.org petition reaching 2300 signatures.
Last December, NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward announced traffic lights would be installed at the intersection of a pedestrian crossing on Frederick St and the road’s speed limit was also reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h.
In court, Espinoza’s matter was adjourned for sentencing at a later date so he could obtain a sentencing assessment report.
‘Waste of resources’: Sydney council’s polarising anti-racism plan
A major Sydney council has been accused of obsessing over racism after it unveiled a six-figure “anti-racism strategy” involving “bespoke” training for staff and ratepayers to combat prejudice.
Accused armed robber allegedly brandished guns at jewellery shops
A man who allegedly wielded a firearm during two jewellery shop robberies in central Sydney and the inner west has been charged. Read the latest.