An Aberdeen man who passed out at the wheel and lodged his car on some rocks above a burn has been banned from the roads.
Lee Ritchie was on a number of prescription medications when he crashed down an embankment on Mugiemoss Road on July 17, 2018.
Witnesses found him in the vehicle looking pale with “glazed” eyes and his head tilted back towards the roof.
The 44-year-old admitted driving while unfit and without insurance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
After he crashed, a number of bystanders including an off-duty police officer approached the car to try and help him.
Fiscal depute Alan Townsend said: “The accused locked the doors and revved the engine to try and free the vehicle but it was obvious the car could not be moved.
“He staggered halfway up the embankment before returning and again trying to drive it off.”
Defence solicitor Graeme Murray said Ritchie had been on a number of prescription medications, including sleeping pills, at the time of the crash.
Mr Murray said: “He had not been drinking or taking drugs but was on a number of different prescribed drugs.
“He had taken medication earlier in the day then got in his car and can’t remember the incident.
“He had never had an episode like this prior.”
Sheriff Ian Anderson noted that Ritchie, of Smithyhaugh Street in Aberdeen, also had three previous convictions for driving without insurance.
He disqualified Ritchie from driving for 16 months and fined him £200.