Bognor drink and drug driver disqualified after crash in Chichester
The 40-year-old crashed into a tree after a night at the pub
Last updated 10th Oct 2022
A drink and drug driver has been disqualified for a year after crashing into a tree on a night out in Chichester.
Lukasz Kopania, of Collyer Avenue, Bognor, lost control of a Mini Cooper on February 20th before crashing into a tree in Needlemakers.
A member of the public had to pull him out of the wreckage as he was unconscious.
Blood tests revealed the 40-year-old was four times over the legal limit of having benzolecgonine in his blood – a chemical element for the breakdown on cocaine – and was also over the alcohol limit.
Roads Policing Unit officer PC Steve Bucksey said: “Kopania stated throughout the investigation he could not remember driving.
“Through a full and thorough investigation involving witness appeals, CCTV trawls and forensic investigation, we presented this to the court where Kopania, for the first time pled guilty.
“Prior to colliding with a tree, Kopania put others in danger, swerving past innocent members of public as he drove through Chichester town centre.
“He ballooned the bend in Needlemakers and hit a tree, causing a collision that left him unconscious.”
He added: “He was incredibly fortunate that he did not cause any serious harm to himself or anyone else that night.”
After admitting to the charges, the 40-year-old was disqualified from driving for one year, ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs.
Sussex Police is hoping video footage of the incident will raise awareness of the dangers of both drinking alcohol and consuming drugs before driving.