Denmark driver who recorded 0.177 blood alcohol level says he was driving to hospital because he was worried about his health

A Denmark driver who recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.177 says he was driving to hospital because he was worried about his health. Last week, the Albany Magistrate’s Court was told that Ashley Mcleod Hansen, 45, was pulled over by police about 11.45pm on March 24. Prosecuting Sgt Dave Loverock said Hansen was driving a Toyota Landcruiser on South Coast Highway when police started following him. Sgt Loverock said officers stopped him on Scotsdale Rd then took him to Denmark Health Service. Hansen recorded a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. He also had a positive reading for tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. Sgt Loverock said police issued a disqualification notice and charged him by summons on one count of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Hansen’s defence counsel, however, said the Denmark man was on his way to the hospital when police intervened. She said Hansen had issues with his heart, such as a high heart rate, and he was “worried he was going to die” at the time. He stayed the night at hospital. “He was pulled over by police in the hospital carpark,” she said. Sgt Loverock noted that there were ambulances available on the night but Hansen did not make any triple-0 calls. Magistrate Raelene Johnston handed down a 10-month licence disqualification and ordered Hansen to pay a $1000 fine plus costs. She said drinking to excess might not help with a heart condition. “It’s somewhat ironic that to assist yourself you decided to drive and therefore put other people’s lives at risk,” Ms Johnston said.