Drunk driver learns from his mistake

An Auckland man is lucky to be alive after his car was ripped in half by a bus in a high speed crash.

Gareth Hurn says his life has changed forever because of the bad decisions he made behind the wheel.

It's hard to believe that anyone could walk away from the crash, but 25-year-old Mr Hurn did.

On Sunday night he smashed into an oncoming bus, tearing the front off his Honda Integra.

“As the bus hit, I remember all the noises, the most strange noises I've ever heard in my life, of metal just plying all around you,” he says.

Mr Hurn had gotten into an argument with his brother and despite having had a few drinks, he took off in his car to go to his mate's place on the North Shore. He overtook one bus, then crashed into another.

Hurn's Honda Integra was travelling at an incredibly high speed when it came down East Coast Road. There were no passengers in his car but police say if there were, they wouldn't have been so lucky.

Mr Hurn broke his collar bone and five ribs. He knows he's a very lucky man, so he's decided to make some changes to his life.

“Since the accident I haven't picked up a drink, and I will not ever again. It's just one of those life changing experiences,” he says.

And he's got a message for people who find themselves in a similar situation.

“Don't speed, and don't drink and drive man. That's the biggest thing I can ever say. Speed kills and I'm very lucky not to be one of those people that died.”

Police are waiting on the results of a blood alcohol test before they lay any charges.

Mr Hurn says he'll take them on the chin and deal with the consequences of his mistakes.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Drunk-driver-learns-from-his-mistake/tabid/423/articleID/190414/Default.aspx