A DRUG and alcohol- impaired motorist from Wodonga drove the wrong way on the Hume Freeway for nearly 35 kilometres, only stopping when confronted by a police roadblock, a court has heard.
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Brian Edwards, 54, forced at least one car to veer off the road to avoid a head-on collision and sparked multiple triple-0 calls during his trip from Springhurst to Glenrowan.
He faced Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Monday, pleading guilty to reckless conduct endangering serious injury, driving under the influence and drink driving.
Magistrate Ian Watkins put Edwards on a 12-month community corrections order, with a condition to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified his driver’s licence for two years.
Police prosecutor Sen-Constable Sarah Williamson told the court Edwards was first spotted travelling south in the northbound lanes in Springhurst at 2.33am on July 27 last year.
Edwards ignored three “wrong way, go back” signs he passed on his 100km/h journey.
A bong and VB stubby were located on the front seat of Edwards’ vehicle after he was stopped.
He recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.08 per cent.
“Police could smell and see cannabis smoke coming from the vehicle,” Sen-Constable Williamson said.
“He appeared to have a dazed and look of bewilderment.”
Solicitor, Geoff Clancy, said Edwards believed he was driving north to Wod-onga at the time.
“He has no recollection of the actual driving your honour, just being at the police station,” he said.
