BENJAMIN Sheck-Townsend was travelling towards Wodonga at about 110km/h along the Hume freeway in Albury when he lost control of his Ford Focus car about 3.45pm on Anzac Day.
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His car travelled about 120 metres on the grass median strip before hitting a guard rail separating the two sections of freeway.
Sheck-Townsend’s car came to a stop about 200 metres from the East Street on-ramp.
When police arrived at the scene, he told them: “I hit a large animal about 30 kilometres back and I ended up here”.
Solicitor Dusan Jovetic described Sheck-Townsend’s comment as “rather bizarre” when he appeared in Albury Local Court for sentencing on a high-range drink-driving offence.
“He is just so unbelievably lucky to walk away,” magistrate Tony Murray said.
Mr Jovetic said Sheck-Townsend, a machine operator and father of one child, had moved from Wodonga to Albury to be suitable for community service.
The accident had been costly for him with his $15,000 car written off.
Mr Jovetic said it had been sold as a wreck for $400.
Sheck-Townsend, 28, was unsteady on his feet when police arrived and smelt of alcohol.
His eyes were red, glassy and when police asked if he was the driver, Sheck-Townsend said: “Yes, that’s my car.”
A breath test was positive and a subsequent breath analysis gave a blood alcohol reading of 0.158.
Sheck-Townsend then told police he had consumed about four schooners of beer between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
Mr Murray imposed 80 hours community service on Sheck-Townsend and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.
