A 55-year-old HGV driver, identified as Darek Smagiel, was arrested after swerving across a dual carriageway while more than six times the legal alcohol limit. Police stopped Smagiel's Iveco HGV on the A14 at Fenstanton on Monday afternoon following reports from the public about his dangerous driving.
Upon roadside testing, Smagiel registered 221 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 35 microgrammes. Several bottles of whiskey were discovered in his lorry's cab.
Smagiel, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and received a three-year driving disqualification.
PC James Allen of the Road Policing Unit commented on the incident, stating that Smagiel's driving was far below acceptable standards and put the public at risk. He commended the members of the public whose reports led to Smagiel being apprehended and removed from the roads.