BMW driver in Longford ‘crossed continuous white line’ and collided with two cars

A north county Longford motorist has been convicted for careless driving after he attempted to overtake on a narrow regional road with a continuous white line and crashed, which led to the drivers being hospitalised.

Ariel Saavedra of 3 Sliabh Rua, Drumlish pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to a reduced charge of careless driving at Creenagh on October 16, 2023.

Sergeant Enda Daly said on the date in question a three vehicle collision occurred at approximately 3.30pm on the R198 -657 road when a BMW initiated to overtake on a narrow stretch of road with a continuous white line.

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"The BMW collided with both vehicles causing extensive damage to all three cars and hospitalisation of all of the other drivers," he added.

Sgt Daly handed in photographs of the crash scene to Judge Bernadette Owens.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Judge Bernadette Owens asked if he was overtaking both cars how did he manage to crash into them?

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Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh, defending, said her client said he "had his indicator on and one of the cars pulled out with no indicator" and he essentially had nowhere to go.

However, Judge Owens stressed Mr Saavedra "crossed a continuous white line" and she addressed Ms Mimnagh and said, 'Was it a manoeuvre he should have been doing at all?

"This is not about blaming someone else is it?

Ms Mimnagh insisted it was not a tactic of shifting the blame and her client is working full time and he has a 'very responsible' job.

"He is not blaming someone else, he shouldn't have been passing, I'm familiar with that road but there is a good view on both sides."

Ms Mimnagh said Mr Saavedra has been living in Ireland and he has been working in the same job as a manager in a restaurant since 2010.

"He apologises, he has slowed down considerably since the crash and he was eager to get to work but he accepts he should not have passed any vehicles on that road."

Judge Owens decided not to disqualify Mr Saavedra due to his previous good record and his work history.
She imposed a €500 fine with four months to pay.