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A District Court judge has asked whether drunk rides in motorized reefer containers are a Central Otago problem before calling for an end.
The Alexandra District Court heard a second such case today a little over a year ago.
Anna Lea Pilgrim (40), owner of a car salon business in Alexandra, faced a drunken driving charge when she appeared before Judge John MacDonald.
However, it was his choice of vehicle, a motorized refrigerated container, which he drove with an excess of 894 microgram breath alcohol that raised eyebrows in the room. The legal limit is 250 mcg.
Birthday celebrations were her downfall.
Pilgrim was standing still when police stopped her on May 9 of this year after riding in the cold container on the side of the road, along the curb on Clutha St.
She was instantly disqualified from driving for 28 days.
Judge MacDonald was ironic in his assessment of the case.
“I don’t want to see more about motorized reefer containers. Is this a Central Otago problem? ”
Defense attorney Megan McCrostie acknowledged that, under normal circumstances, the defendant would be considered for an interlock license.
However, he asked Judge MacDonald to consider a lesser penalty due to a variety of factors, including the fact that he traveled less than 100 meters and would have been going at a speed of between 5 and 10 km / h.
Judge MacDonald took into consideration that Pilgrim had no prior convictions and would have to drive in order to continue his business effectively.
He said an interlock license would compensate for the seriousness of the crime, but noted that the alcohol level was high and should not be downplayed.
Pilgrim was discharged without conviction, disqualified for one more month, and ordered to pay a donation to a charity of her choice.
Their getaway comes after Southland truck driver Daniel William Hurley was convicted of a similar crime last year and fined $ 700.
His cold trash antics took place in a Cromwell parking lot while he had an alcohol level of 540 mcg.
