Police helicopter deployed to find man who crashed father’s van on the way to get pizza

A court has heard that a 19 year-old man who crashed his father’s van into an oncoming car, then fled the scene, had been on his way to get a pizza. McCauley Moffett was located by a police helicopter emerging from a field, about 100 metres from the scene of the accident which occurred on the Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt on March 15. Moffett of Ruskey Road, Cookstown appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with a catalogue of motoring offences including aggravated taking and causing damage to a vehicle, driving with excess alcohol and dangerous driving. He was further charged with failing to stop and failing to remain where an accident occurred and driving without insurance. The court heard that at 9.20pm on the date in question, police were tasked to a two vehicle road traffic accident on the Ballyronan Road. The vehicles involved, a Caddy van and a BMW car, had collided head-on. It was a clear, dry night and there were no obstructions, the court was told. When police approached the van, they detected a strong smell of intoxicating liquor coming from inside the vehicle but could not locate the driver. A police helicopter was then deployed as they were concerned for the driver’s welfare. The driver of the BMW told police that the van was driving on the wrong side of the road. He was then taken to hospital as he complained about a pain to his wrist. The police helicopter located the defendant about 100 metres away. He was observed staggering from a field. His knees were bleeding and he complained about a pain to his chest. A roadside breath test was not conducted as the defendant was taken straight to hospital for treatment to his injuries. A blood sample was taken from the defendant six hours later which revealed a reading of 114mg-34mg in excess of the legal drink drive limit. During police enquiries, the defendant’s father told police that he had not given his son permission to drive the vehicle. Moffett was interviewed on a later date and made full admissions. During the interview he told police that he couldn't recall the accident. A defence solicitor told the court that the only thing the defendant remembers is ‘waking up in hospital’ following the accident. He said: “On the day in question, the defendant had been at the pub and had drank a few bottles of cider. “He cannot recall getting in the car and had no recollection of the accident. The only thing he remembers is waking up in hospital. “Addressing the defendant District Judge Alan White said: “You are entitled to credit for pleading guilty, but this was a serious set of facts. You are very fortunate that you did not cause death or serious injury to the other diver because if you had, you would be in crown court and you would be going to prison.” Moffett was disqualified from driving for two years and fined £500. “Get on with your life, I hope, as your father has said, that this is just an aberration,” said Judge White.