Motorist Jailed for Drink Driving After Ditch Crash

Edgaras Jucikas, 28, of Beck Row, Suffolk, has received a prison sentence for drink driving following a crash on 14 June where he was rescued from a water-filled ditch in the Fens. The motorist, described as “extremely lucky,” admitted consuming approximately four pints of beer prior to the incident at Westmoor Drove. Police were informed by a witness who observed Jucikas’ vehicle departing the road and overturning into the ditch, where it was later found partially submerged. Mr. Jucikas pleaded guilty to several charges, including drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, breaching his community order, failing to appear, and possession of a class C substance. During proceedings on Monday, magistrates in Norwich handed Jucikas a four-year prison sentence and imposed a driving disqualification lasting four-and-a-half years. Authorities reported conducting a roadside breath test following the collision, which revealed Jucikas’ alcohol level to be 75 microgrammes per 100ml of breath. This reading is slightly more than double the legal limit of 35 microgrammes per 100ml. PC Baillie Morgan-Heritage commented on the incident, stating: “Jucikas is extremely lucky to be here today. If it wasn’t for a member of the public seeing his vehicle leave the road, he could’ve gone into the ditch without anyone knowing or being able to seek help. Drinking affects your reaction times, your vision and your ability to concentrate. As Jucikas demonstrated, drink drivers put their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel, not to mention the lives of other road users.”