Magistrate Philip Stewart has warned a Newcastle man not to drive during his disqualification period.
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Mitchell Donald Andrews (21) of Kestrel Circuit, Shortland was before Parkes Local Court on Monday, December 2, charged with driving with low range PCA (0.072) - first offence - at Parkes on April 19.
According to Police facts tendered in court, sometime between midnight and 4.30am Andrews was driving his White Toyota Hilux in a southerly direction on the Renshaw McGirr Way when he lost control in gravel and skidded off the road.
A passing motorist came across the accident and contacted emergency services.
Police found Andrews walking barefoot 25km north of Parkes.
Andrews was assessed by paramedics and taken by ambulance to Parkes Hospital as a precaution.
A blood sample returned the reading of 0.072 grams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
In a police interview Andrews stated he went to football training after work before leaving to drive to Merriwa to have dinner with a friend at 7pm on his way home to Forbes.
Andrews ate a meal at a Merriwa licensed premises and drank several schooners of beer before retiring to stay at his friend's house.
He told police he was not sure what time he left his friend's home to continue to Forbes but said it was after midnight.
Representing Andrews, Parkes solicitor Peter Martin told the court his client is employed by Newcastle City Council and plays rugby league for the Newcastle Knights.
"The Newcastle Knights impose their own level of discipline in regard to this particular offending behaviour," Mr Martin said.
"His club gave him community work which he did by way of assisting a local under 9s rugby league team. He found that to be quite rewarding."
Mr Martin said his client completed the traffic offender program and was particularly affected by the video presentations.
"Being the occupant of the vehicle that night really shook him up," he said.
Magistrate Stewart noted Andrews has no prior criminal record and no traffic record.
"He is by all accounts an outstanding athlete and his references speak of him in glowing terms," he said.
"There are public safety issues, of course, involved with motor vehicle accidents particularly where alcohol is involved.
"It appears Mr Andrews has learnt something from completing the traffic offender program. He has even undertaken counselling to make sure there is no repeat of this type of conduct."
Andrews was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for three months.
