A Port Elizabeth man (59) is facing charges of reckless and negligent driving as well as driving under the influence of alcohol after he collided with the private vehicle of an off duty senior Metro Police officer on Monday.
The accident happened on the corners of Van Wyk Street and Diggery Drive, Westering at approximately 19:00.
Acting Brigadier Raquel Paulsen’s elderly grandmother (94) together with her 75-year-old mother were passengers in the car.
“The driver of a white car ignored a stop street and collided with my vehicle. I noticed then that his eyes were bloodshot and reported the accident to the Metro Police Control Room,” Paulsen said.
Besides Paulsen’s grandmother injuring her leg, no other physical injuries were sustained.
Metro Police Commissioner Yolande Faro said both drivers were breathalysed at the accident scene.
“Acting Brigadier Paulsen was 0,0% and the suspect’s reading was 0,83mg in 1000ml of breath. That is almost four times the legal breath alcohol limit of 0.24mg.
“The suspect was taken to the newly established Alcohol Evidence Centre in Bethelsdorp (launched 22 December 2020) where his intoxication was confirmed with a reading of 0.88mg per 1000ml of breath.
“He was arrested, taken to the Kabega Park Police Station and appeared in court this morning.
“I hope that this incident is once again a reminder of the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol as it diminishes driver ability to timeously react to avoid accidents or to safely manoeuvre a vehicle,” Faro added.
NMB Communications
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