‘Laid back’ motorist crashed and abandoned car in Carlow while ‘clearly intoxicated’

A young motorist has received a disqualification from driving after he crashed his car in Carlow while ‘clearly intoxicated’.

Alexei Kusnetzov (21) of Ard an Bhile, New Ross, Co Wexford, appeared before Kilkenny District Court.

He pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor told the court that the incident occurred at Bahana, St. Mullins, Co Carlow on July 21, 2024.

On the date in question, gardaí observed a black Opel Astra that had crashed on the side of the road. The hazards were on and the vehicle had been abandoned.

READ NEXT: Jury selected for trial of Carlow man who denies murdering his father by reason of insanity

Gardaí later identified Mr Kusnetzov as the owner and driver of the vehicle.

The court heard that after crashing the car, Mr Kusnetzov and his girlfriend, who was a passenger in the vehicle, got a lift to New Ross from a friend.

He was subsequently arrested and admitted to being “clearly intoxicated”.

A blood sample obtained by gardaí returned a reading of 109 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Solicitor Joe Farrell, representing the accused, said his client was “of the generation” and had a “laid back” attitude.

He told the court that Mr Kusnetzov works as a waiter and is currently studying event management.

Mr Farrell noted that after being contacted by gardaí, the accused immediately returned to the scene of the accident and admitted the offence.

After formally convicting Mr Kusnetzov, Judge Geraldine Carthy disqualified him from driving for three years and imposed a €300 fine.