A 32-year-old Ryde man who crashed his girlfriend’s car into several parked vehicles was drunk at the time, a court has heard.
Jai Pearce, of Westhill Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Friday), where he pleaded guilty to 4 charges, including drink driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and failing to stop at the scene of a road accident.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, told court that on the night of 5th December, Pearce took his girlfriend’s car while under the influence – a vehicle only his partner and her stepfather were legally permitted to drive.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Pearce was seen behind the wheel of the black Toyota Aygo, which was driving at speed with no lights on, down Weeks Road just before 21:30.
The Toyota then smashed into a parked silver Hyundai i10, which in turn shunted forwards into a Ford Transit van – near to the junction with Alfred Street.
The male driver jumped to his feet and ran up the road, leaving the scene of the crash.
Magistrates heard that Pearce dialled 999 at the earliest opportunity after fleeing the scene, where he disclosed his location to officers who were actively searching for him.
After giving himself up, tests revealed that Pearce was well over the drink drive limit.
In an interview at Newport Police Station the following day, Pearce admitted being under the influence of alcohol at the time, and that he knew he had driven the black Toyota Aygo without permission from the owner and without third-party insurance.
Oscar Vincent, defending, said that Pearce had told officers everything during his interview with them.
Pearce was handed an interim disqualification ahead of his sentencing hearing, which will take place on 22nd September.
It is shocking the amount of drink drivers on this
small island. SHOCKING
Extra taxes etc, higher road fund etc. Islandwide
permit parking charges. ANYTHING, but we need to
raise more money to fund the extra traffic police
required on the island to catch drink and drug drivers and
speeding motorists, also to check vehicle registration
plates driving around the island with NO MOT
Zero sympathy for him, idiot, This island unfortunately seems to have more than its fair share of people who think it’s fine to drive under the influence of drink and drugs hope his girlfriend finished with him. Luckily for him it was parked cars he hit. .
They know there is no traffic law on the island.