British national James McGill, 30, of Wānaka, was nearly four times the legal limit when he tried to negotiate the KFC drive-through in Cambridge, Waikato, on the night of May 16.
After striking an overhead sign because of his vehicle’s height, he kept going and collided with the drive-through’s speaker box.
When a staff member came out to intervene, he tried reversing, but hit two posts in the process.
Police were called and he recorded a breath-alcohol level of 947mcg. The legal limit is 250mcg.
At McGill’s sentencing on a drink-driving charge in the Queenstown District Court, counsel Paige Noorland said the defendant’s decision to drive the short distance to the fast-food outlet was an "absolute lapse" of judgement.
He had a clean criminal record from his six years in New Zealand, and had lived in the Waikato, Queenstown and Wānaka.
The defendant had taken a step towards rehabilitation by having counselling to address his alcohol issues, and had made a $100 donation to Students Against Dangerous Driving.
Prosecutor Dan Andrew said police opposed the discharge without conviction application because the risk of deportation was virtually nil.
The defendant had put the public at risk by choosing to get behind the wheel when he could easily have walked.
Community magistrate Sarah Steele said court data showed it was "very rare" for drink-drivers to be deported for one offence.
It was highly unlikely his current visa, or an application for permanent residency, would be jeopardised by a conviction, although the latter might be delayed.
It was up to Immigration New Zealand to considered such matters case-by-case, taking into account all relevant circumstances, Ms Steele said.
She refused the application and convicted McGill, imposing a $400 fine, court costs of $143, and disqualifying him from driving for seven months.
When the disqualification period expires, he can apply for a zero-alcohol licence, which lasts for three years.
— Guy Williams, PIJF court reporter
