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andydp
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Joined: 23 Sep 2003
Posts: 8122
Location: Upstate NY near Albany
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 Posted: 10/20/05 - 14:00 Post subject: Stupid, dumb, idiotic and very lucky
No further comment. (Story is from New Zealand)
Drunk mum forced off road by trucker
21 October 2005
By NICK CHURCHOUSE
An "unbelievably" drunk learner driver trying to travel hundreds of kilometres has been saved from killing herself and her two-year-old daughter by an anonymous good samaritan.
The 44-year-old woman, from Waiuku, southwest of Pukekohe, was seen driving erratically by several motorists south of Piopio in King Country on Wednesday night before a concerned truck driver decided to get her off the road.
The woman, who told police she had been drinking wine as she drove with her daughter next to her in the front seat, was forced off State Highway 3 near Mahoenui by the truckie about 7.30pm. He took her keys and made her wait with another motorist for police.
She was on a learner licence and recorded a breath-alcohol reading almost three times the legal limit.
Otorohanga constable Kent Morrissey said there were two empty wine bottles in the car and one she had yet to open. The woman admitted drinking the bottles while she drove.
She said she was heading south to Hamilton from Waiuku. When she was stopped, she was 1-1/2 hours past the turnoff to Hamilton. The car was almost out of petrol.
Sergeant Lex Soepnel, of Otorohanga, said the truck driver had felt he had to get the woman off the road before she killed someone.
Police were shocked at her behaviour, and said it was unusual to find someone with such a high alcohol reading.
"It's unbelievable that people still get that pissed and try and drive," Mr Soepnel said.
The woman's decision to drive in such a state was beyond belief, especially with her daughter in the car. "If something happens to the kid, they're always sorry later."
The truck driver's decision to stop the woman before a tragedy happened was a good one in the circumstances, but Mr Soepnel said he recommended that concerned drivers call *555 and advise police of dangerous drivers.
The woman's licence was immediately suspended for 28 days. She will appear in Te Kuiti District Court on October 28.
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