Drink-driver banned after lorry collision causes delays on A14
The 44 year old from Essex crashed his HGV into the central reservation
A lorry driver from Essex has been convicted of drink-driving and banned from driving following a collision on the A14 at Rougham last week.
Lukasz Wojciechowski, a 44-year-old from Colchester, crashed his HGV into the central reservation, causing it to cross into the eastbound carriageway.
The incident created significant delays for motorists, with the eastbound carriageway fully closed from 9am until around 1.10pm last Friday (20 March).
The crash was reported around 7.10am, prompting police to close both outer lanes immediately.
It was confirmed by authorities that Wojciechowski failed a roadside breath test and he was arrested.
At Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre, he provided further evidence of having 46 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, surpassing the legal limit of 35mg.
Suffolk Police say several drivers filmed the scene while passing and their vehicle details have been noted by officers, the force added that these individuals are expected to receive fixed penalty notices.
PC Terry Harvey from the Commercial Vehicle Unit spoke strongly against the actions of Wojciechowski:
“We have dealt with all manner of reckless driving in our roles as CVU officers and this ranks up there with the worst.
“To drive a heavy goods vehicle whilst over the drink-drive limit is inexcusable. You are in charge of a machine that could cause huge destruction, as witnessed in this case with the flattening of the central reservation barriers.
“It is extremely fortunate that no other vehicles were hit, as the consequences could have been devastating. We engage with lorry drivers on a near daily basis and the vast majority are law-abiding and will be as shocked as us by this incident.
“The collision caused hours of delays for other motorists on what is the main artery through our county, all because of one individual’s selfish behaviour.
“The consequences for Mr Wojciechowski are that he has now lost his livelihood along with his driving licence. No doubt he is now seriously regretting his actions on that morning.
Wojciechowski appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on 21st March, where he was disqualified from driving for 16 months.
He can reduce this ban by 16 weeks if he completes an approved course.
Wojciechowski was also fined £1,666 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £666 and costs of £80, making a total of £2,412 in financial penalties.