An Irishman charged over the death of a young student on a Sydney dual-carriageway was three-times over the legal alcohol limit at the time of the incident, an Australian court has heard.
Patrick Nealon, 38, allegedly consumed 15 alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel of his pick-up truck and hitting Nicole Lewanski, 22, as she stood on a pedestrian island in Syndey on December 14, 2016.
The court heard how Mr Nealon allegedly tried to dodge a breathalyser test by biting the device’s tube shortly after the incident and that he was over three times the legal limit when tested at a hospital.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Nealon has pleaded not guilty to 'aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death'.
Downing Centre District Court heard on Wednesday that Nealon was driving erratically and could 'hardly walk' after the accident on the Princes Highway.
Prosecutor Christopher Taylor told how an ambulance driver who attended the scene of the accident at 5.45pm asked how much alcohol Nealon he had consumed.
It is alleged that Mr Nealon replied 'heaps'.
The court heard how Nealon had started drinking at 1.30pm - over four hours before the accident.
Mr Taylor said: "He (the paramedic) could tell that the accused was intoxicated and flopping himself sideways."
“Mr Nealon was observed to be swaying slightly, they could smell alcohol from his direction.
"He was swaying on the spot. His speech was slurred and slow.”
The trial continues.
