Benjamin Zolnowski, 30, of Melbourne, gave a breath-alcohol reading of 1491mcg after he was stopped by police in Frankton Rd on Friday.
At Zolnowski’s sentencing on a drink-driving charge in the Queenstown District Court yesterday, counsel Megan Waller said he could not comprehend his "terrible" decision to drive into central Queenstown after drinking at a Frankton bar.
He lived in the resort town for two years until 2022, and was back to visit friends during a 10-day holiday.
The offence occurred in the context of a relationship break-up, and Zolnowski had been undergoing therapy for the past 12 months to deal with personal issues, Ms Waller said.
She asked that he be sentenced yesterday because he had a flight back to Australia that night.
Judge Russell Walker told Zolnowski the alcohol level was so high "you knew you shouldn’t have been driving".
"You put yourself, and more importantly other road users, at risk of serious injury or death."
He convicted Zolnowski, fined him $1500, imposed court costs of $130, and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.
