A 50-year-old lorry driver has been sentenced to prison after crashing his vehicle in Pagham while intoxicated, sparking alarm among holidaymakers and nearby residents. Janis Rimovics, who was found to be over three times the legal alcohol limit, collided with a parked car before recklessly entering a bustling holiday park on a Saturday evening during peak summer.
The incident began when Rimovics, operating a 44-tonne articulated lorry, struck a stationary vehicle on Church Lane and proceeded into a nearby holiday park filled with families and children. Witnesses reported that, despite the presence of pedestrians, he attempted to maneuver the large vehicle through the park until concerned members of the public managed to convince him to stop.
Acting Sergeant Steven Lambeth of the Roads Policing Unit commented on the case, stating, “Rimovics was in charge of a large lorry while more than three times the legal alcohol limit. He was in no fit state to drive and was barely able to stand, let alone drive a vehicle, when he arrived in custody. Drink-driving is one of the main reasons why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Sgt. Lambeth added that Rimovics was fortunate not to have caused serious harm that night, and praised the swift removal of a dangerous driver from the roads, preventing any potential tragedies.
The case highlights the ongoing dangers posed by drink-driving, especially involving large vehicles. Sussex Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="198496">Sussex Police reaffirmed their commitment to keeping roads safe, reminding the public of the severe consequences of driving under the influence.
