Man slumped over wheel on M25 banned from driving

A man who was found intoxicated and slumped over the wheel of his car on the M25 near Leatherhead last year has been banned from driving.

Amos Chirimutu, 42, (DOB 28/7/1982), of Maidstone, was given a six week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court last week.

He was also ordered to complete an alcohol treatment requirement for nine months and banned from driving for 32 months. 

Chirimutu pleaded guilty to driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol, being unfit to drive due to alcohol and being in charge whilst unfit through alcohol at an earlier hearing in September.

Police were called following reports of a blue Vauxhall Astra driving slowly and weaving across lanes on the M25 between J8-9 near Leatherhead on 28 May 2024.

Chirimutu, who was driving the car, was also seen slumped over the steering wheel.

Members of the public used their vehicles to slow traffic behind his car and managed to bring it to a stop. They then took the keys from Chirimutu while they waited for police to arrive.

When officers arrived, they found Chirimutu, who was alone, sitting in the driver’s seat smelling strongly of alcohol. There was a near empty bottle of whisky on the floor near his seat, and what appeared to be fresh vomit on the front passenger seat.

Chirimutu was arrested and had to be helped out of the vehicle. He was so intoxicated that he was unable to provide his details or a breath sample.

A blood sample later had to be obtained at hospital several hours after the initial incident and was found to have 319 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, four times the legal alcohol blood level.

Chief Inspector Karen Coyne from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Chirimutu was slumped over the wheel of his car which he was driving on the M25 during the morning rush hour. The fact that he didn’t harm himself or anyone else in the process is a miracle.

“He had to be helped out of his car and was too drunk to communicate with officers at the scene. Thankfully, members of the public intervened to ensure he stopped driving – what could have happened otherwise doesn’t bear thinking about.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling drink and drug driving in Surrey and sends a clear message to anyone thinking of taking that risk not to do it – it just isn’t worth it, and if you are caught, you will be dealt with.”