Drunk driver caused car accident, injuring pensioner (Updated)

A 36-year-old drunk driver who was 18 times over the limit and injured a pensioner in Larnaca, had his driving licence revoked for a month, the Cyprus News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The man also has to pay €1,000 in bail bond, pending his court appearance on August 2.

Police said the man was found driving at the Nikou and Despina Pattichi Avenue on Monday afternoon, when, under conditions that are being investigated, his car rear-ended that of a 76-year-old woman.

As a result of the collision, the pensioner’s car crashed into another car, driven by a 30-year-old woman who was stopped at the traffic lights, police said.

The 76-year-old was taken to the Larnaca general hospital where she was hospitalised for spinal injuries.

Larnaca traffic police arrived at the scene and carried out an alcohol test on the driver who caused the accident, which came back positive.

In the final test, the man’s blood alcohol levels came back with 163 mg instead of the maximum 9mg permitted for novice drivers.

The man faces charges of reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

In a second traffic-related case, Larnaca district court sentenced a 42-year-old drink driver who was six times over the alcohol limit to 30 days in prison and issued eight penalty points on his licence later on Tuesday.

He was also banned from driving for six months starting from February 25 when he was arrested for drink driving on Yiannou Kranidioti avenue. The man had tested 123mg whereas the maximum limit is set at 22mg.

Three of the eight penalty points were issued for a separate case when the man was also found driving while drunk, with alcohol levels of 83mg, the Cyprus News Agency said.

Penalty points can be removed from a record three years after the day they were issued, while drivers may be disqualified from driving once they reach 12 points.

Police said the man was also wanted for a separate case on suspicion of causing serious bodily harm.