A newly minted driver who struck and killed a 44-year-old teacher on Christmas Eve last year after consuming more than 10 whiskeys during an early morning drinking spree has been jailed for four years.

Chow Pui-yeung, 24, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and to driving while intoxicated after he ran over Chu Chi-shing, a Putonghua and Chinese history teacher at Ning Po No 2 College, who was on his way to a school party.

A blood test conducted after the crash found Chow's blood alcohol level was 144 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood or nearly three times the legal limit of 50 milligrams.

Finding his speeding, aggressive driving, consumption of alcohol and disregard for his passenger's pleas to slow down as aggravating factors, Deputy Judge Bina Chainrai said, "(Chow's) culpability is of the most serious kind. (His) impairment was to the extent that (his) concentration was completely extinguished."

"Driving in his condition was absolutely unacceptable," she said, adding his standard of driving was "very bad".

Chainrai also noted Chow had only been licensed for roughly 10 months, and already had three prior traffic convictions.

The court heard Chow had picked up his girlfriend after she had finished work at about 4 am and proceeded to share five bottles of whiskey at several Tsim Sha Tsui Granville Road bars with friends.

Drinking at least 10 whiskey waters and a third of a bottle straight-up, Chow then jumped into his car shortly after 7 am accompanied by his girlfriend and a friend to drive them home.

Dropping off his friend first, Chow then sped towards Sha Tin, weaving in and out of traffic while ignoring pleas by his remaining passenger to slow down.

Crossing the median for the final time on Lee On Road in an effort to overtake a car while a lorry was hurtling down the opposing lane, Chow lost control when he accelerated to swerve back into his lane, fishtailing into a series of road barriers until he struck Chu and another pedestrian who was jogging and sustained minor injuries.

Chow was traveling at approximately 80 kilometers per hour in a 50 kilometers-per-hour zone.

Chow, who is the sole breadwinner for his mother, is already serving a 12-month sentence for probation violations due to finish in March.

He also faces another trial over alleged possession of dangerous drugs early next year. Chow has a prior conviction for possession.

Chu is survived by his daughter and wife who told reporters shortly after the sentence she hoped Chow was truly remorseful and would reform during his incarceration.

China Daily

(HK Edition 12/31/2010 page1)