Sentence suspended of man who was seen driving wrong way across Rice Bridge in 'viral' CCTV footage
CCTV footage shows the white van crashing into car and damaging traffic lights on Rice Bridge
A 54-year-old man who drove the wrong way across Rice Bridge before crashing into a set of traffic lights in 2022 has had his prison sentence suspended.
'Viral' CCTV footage of the incident garnered significant attention on social media at the time.
The driver of the vehicle, Robert Karpinski of Dominick Place, Waterford, can be seen in the footage crossing lanes, mounting the bridge footpath and driving against rush hour traffic.
Karpinski’s white Volkswagen van then collided with another vehicle and the traffic lights on the city approach to the bridge.
He was subsequently charged with endangerment and sentenced to four months imprisonment. This sentence was suspended in its entirety for a period of two years at Waterford Courthouse last week.
His previously imposed five-year disqualification from driving was however, upheld at the recent hearing.
On December 6, 2022 at approximately 4.45 pm, a white Volkswagen van driven by Mr Karpinski crashed into the traffic lights on the city side of Rice Bridge. A number of vehicles were damaged as a result.
Gardaí arrived at the scene and questioned civilian witnesses who identified Mr Karpinski as the driver of the offending vehicle.
A number of empty beer bottles were found in the van and Mr Karpinski failed a breathalyser test.
Whilst outlining the facts of the incident in court, State Solicitor Frank Hutchinson noted that the location was "extremely busy" with traffic and pedestrians at the time.
No injuries occurred, however one person was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Mr. Hutchinson said during the proceedings: "The incident gained a great deal of publicity at the time. CTV footage went viral and was subject to discussion and attention on social media.”
Mr. Karpinski’s defence counsel said that he pleaded guilty to the incident in 2022 and has not come to any adverse Gardaí attention since.
The defence described the incident as "a moment of madness" and said its aftermath caused significant professional and social consequences for him.
Judge Jennifer O’Brien said to Mr. Karpinski during the hearing: "You are very lucky you didn’t kill anybody or kill yourself".
