Two truck drivers have been jailed after driving under the influence of alcohol into oncoming traffic on the A19.
Motorists were forced to take evasive action as Arunas Valacka from Lithuania and Andrei Vasilachi of no fixed address but formally of Moldova drove their HGVs south in the northbound carriageway of the A road on
14 June 2019 at around 9pm.
Teesside Crown Court heard how both men had been drinking alcohol at a service station north of Wolviston before taking to the road.
The court heard how the driver of one car was forced to steer off the road and into a field in order to avoid crashing.
Eventually, a police officer spotted the pair and manoeuvred in front of them to get them to stop.
Both men were sentenced to
12 months in prison.
Acting Inspector Steve Clyburn from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit said: “These two men put countless lives at risk on the evening that they got behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Not only did they drive while drunk, but because of this they drove along the A19 into oncoming traffic.
“A number of drivers had to take evasive action to avoid a collision, which could have easily resulted in serious injury or worse.
“I welcome the sentences given to these drivers. They now have the time to reflect on their actions while behind bars. It is only sheer luck which has saved them, and other innocent road users, from potentially losing their lives.”
