A driver who was lucky to survive after a crash in Netherton told police that he lost control of his vehicle when an insect flew into his ear.
Peter Drozd was seriously injured in the crash on Meltham Road last August.
He was left trapped in his Mercedes after losing control of it when he tried to negotiate a bend.
Firefighters battled for an hour to remove the 49-year-old from the vehicle after he smashed into a telegraph pole and a stone wall.
Drozd pleaded guilty to charges of drink-driving and driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.
The crash happened at just after 10pm on August 16 as he travelled along the road from the Lockwood direction.
Linda Fowler, prosecuting, said: “The Mercedes being driven by the defendant was involved in a road traffic collision while negotiating the right-hand bend.
“He was severely injured within that vehicle and had to be removed by fire crews with specialist cutting equipment.”
The impact of the vehicle with the pole and wall was so severe it pushed the car’s engine near to the footwell.
Firefighters had to cut the roof off the car to get Drozd out and he was treated at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for facial injuries.
He was seen in hospital by police who ordered a blood test after smelling alcohol on his breath.
This showed that Drozd had 100 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
This exceeded the legal limit of 80 milligrammes.
Mrs Fowler said: “The defendant was interviewed under caution.
“He said he lost control of the vehicle, believing that something flew in his ear and distracted him momentarily.”
Magistrates heard that Drozd had drunk one can of beer and hadn’t believed that he was over the limit.
He drove to the chemist to get a nicotine patch but was in a hurry to get home because he suffered from a condition called rectal prolapse.
Magistrates were told that despite escaping with his life, Drozd had been unable to forgive himself for the crash and suffered from psychological problems since.
Drozd, of Romley Road in Bradford, lost his job and has not been back in a car.
Magistrates banned him from driving for 16 months.
He must also pay £150 fine, £150 costs and £20 victim surcharge.
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