Mark Anthony Twaddle (36) admitted he was also texting on his phone as he drove the Milton Highway early on May 19, crashing head-on with another vehicle carrying two people.
"In the blink of an eye, he could’ve caused the loss of three lives," counsel Brian Kilkelly said.
"He’s reflected on that long and often."
Judge Kevin Phillips charted the "huge" consequences for the victims — who were helicoptered to hospital — particularly one man who had a broken foot, fractured kneecap, two broken bones in his arm and a bruised spine.
The man had had to close his business and was now unable to play with his children or indulge in his favourite outdoor activities.
The other victim broke a rib and his collarbone and had also required time off work and ongoing pain medication.
Twaddle recorded a breath-alcohol reading of 684mcg — nearly three times the legal limit.
Mr Kilkelly said his client had a late-night argument with his partner about alcohol consumption which prompted him to go driving around South Otago, while drinking more.
"He was texting, telling her he was on his way home," he said.
"It was a recipe for disaster in every possible way."
Twaddle was a butcher at a supermarket, responsible for four staff and was described as "a model and reliable employee with a great work ethic".
Mr Kilkelly said the father of three was actively involved in his children’s lives coaching sport and providing after-school transport.
Twaddle had repeatedly stressed his remorse, he said.
But Judge Phillips questioned why the defendant had not saved any money for the victims since the crash.
He also highlighted the fact Twaddle had twice been convicted of drink driving, in 2005 and 2017.
The judge scoffed at a Probation report which assessed the defendant as a low risk of harm to others.
"Here we have a man who, on what he says, goes out at night after drinking alcohol and arguing with his wife about alcohol, and proceeds to drive around for hours drinking alcohol," he said.
Though he had "some misgivings", Judge Phillips opted against imprisonment, sentencing Twaddle to nine months’ home detention.
He also imposed 200 hours’ community work and a 15-month driving ban.
Twaddle was ordered to pay his victims a total of $8250.
