Police have released an 'unbelievable' video showing a heavy goods vehicle close to tipping over on a roundabout before the driver was arrested for being four times over the drink drive limit.
Durham Police were alerted by witnesses who saw the lorry being driving erratically and almost colliding with several traffic islands near Aycliffe Village, County Durham, on Friday.
Marius Viorel Amarie, 38, of Bodosani, Romania, was arrested and blew 131 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
A spokesperson for Durham Police said: "Drink driving is inexcusable at the best of times, but throw a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) into the mix and it’s almost unbelievable.
"But Marius Viorel Amarie did exactly that last Friday morning (October 27) when he drove his lorry at over four times the drink-drive limit.
"A caller to our control room reported witnessing the vehicle driving erratically and almost colliding with multiple traffic islands between Heighington village and Aycliffe Village.
"SC Howells, a special constable in our roads policing unit, caught up with Amarie on Heighington Lane as he attempted to navigate a roundabout.
"As seen in the footage, Amarie’s trailer was close to tipping over when he mounted the kerb several times.
"In custody Amarie blew 131 on his breath test. The legal drink drive limit is 35."
Armarie was charged with drink driving and remanded into custody to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning (October 30).
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He admitted the offence and was banned from driving for three years and given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a surcharge of £154.
The spokesperson added: "Whether it’s a HGV, van, small car or motorcycle, please think twice before drink driving.
"If you’re lucky, the worst that will happen is you’ll get caught."
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