A DRINK-driver who killed his friend when he crashed his car off the M32 has been jailed.
Victor Rotundu, aged 32, was almost three times the legal alcohol limit when he lost control of his Citroen C4 car, drove off the northbound carriageway and hit a tree near the Hambrook junction on October 6 last year.
His passenger and friend, Andrei Griguta, 37, who lived in Bristol, was declared dead at the scene.
Rotundu, 32, of Newport, Gwent, was injured and treated in hospital, where a blood sample was taken.
It showed he at least 140 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood when tested.
A toxicology expert calculated that at the time of the collision his blood alcohol level would have been 222mcg – almost three times the legal limit of 80mcg.
Avon & Somerset police said the fatal crash happened shortly after 10am in fine and dry weather conditions.
Rotundu admitted causing death by careless driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
He was jailed for five years and four months at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday.
After his release he will be disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months, and will need to pass an extended test before being allowed to drive again.
‘I miss Andrei so much’
In a personal statement read to the court, Mr Griguta’s wife said: “I miss Andrei so much, there has been many a time that I felt I couldn’t move on without him, I think of him every single day.
“I will love him for the rest of my life, no matter what.
“Andrei was a great man that everyone who met him will remember and miss him very much.
“We have all been blessed that he was in our life, even for short period of time.”
Designated investigating officer Adrian Wainwright said: “No prison sentence can repair the loss of Mr Griguta’s life, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time.
“Victor Rotundu has admitted his guilt and bears the responsibility for his friend’s death.
“He chose to get behind the wheel while more than two and three quarter times the legal limit for alcohol.
“Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs puts you, your passengers, and other road users at risk of death or serious injury. It’s shocking that anyone thinks it’s acceptable.”