Vomit-covered man found on road side, head lights ‘blinding’

Found in a pool of vomit, he recorded more than three times the limit

A MAN who recorded three times the legal limit was found covered in his own vomit on the side of the Bruce Highway, with his high beams blinding oncoming motorists, a court has heard.

Burdekin man, Matthew Laurence Deambrosis, 29, pleaded guilty in Bowen Magistrate Court to drink driving.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told the court about 11.42pm on January 17, police found a vehicle about 1.5m off the Bruce Highway at Battery Creek, north of Bowen.

Police observed the vehicle with its high beam lights "blinding" oncoming traffic, hazard lights on and keys laying on the ground.

Deambrosis was found leaning on the tray of his ute over his own vomit, with more on his chest and shoulders, Sgt Myors said.

"He was observed to be slurring his speech, wasn't stable on his feet and smelt of liquor," Sgt Myors said.

"He said he had consumed about 10 whiskies since 7pm and was looking for a bottle shop."

Deambrosis was recorded with a BAC of 0.164.

Lawyer Rowan Pack said Deambrosis was the director of Deambrosis Earthmoving, and was in Bowen to work on the excavation and construction of a dam.

He said Deambrosis was unable to work on the dam due to rain and ended up drinking at the Merinda Hotel with a friend.

"He needed to find himself in Ayr the next day and foolishly made the decision to drive," Mr Pack said.

"He didn't get far before he obviously knew he wasn't right to drive, and has pulled over.

"There's nothing to suggest, apart from the headlights, that he did anything of great concern - although we concede the high BAC is concerning and deeply out of character."

Magistrate James Morton said Deambrosis was "running the risk" and put lives in danger.

"In hindsight, you knew you should have been in Ayr, and that means you shouldn't be getting on the grog," Mr Morton said.

"You ran the risk, and you're lucky no one was hurt."

Deambrosis was fined $1100. He was disqualified from driving for 8 months, with conviction recorded.

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