Drink driver jailed after killing friend in crash

Victor Rotundu survived the crash after leaving the motorway, but his friend did not

A man who killed his friend while drink driving almost three times over the limit has been jailed.

Victor Rotundu, of Newport, Gwent, crashed into a tree when he lost control of his grey Citroen C4 on the M32 northbound, near junction 1, on 6 October 2024.

He left hospital after treatment but his passenger and friend Andrei Griguta, 37, from Bristol, died at the scene.

Rotundu, 32, was jailed for five years and four months at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday after admitting causing death by careless driving.

Avon and Somerset Police said the fatal crash happened at about 10:13 BST when Rotundu left the carriageway in fine and dry conditions.

In a personal statement read to the court, Mr Griguta's wife said she will "love him for the rest of my life no matter what".

"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," she said.

A toxicology expert found Rotundu's blood alcohol level at the time of the crash would have been 222umg per 100ml.

The legal limit is 80umg per 100ml.

Rotundu was also disqualified from driving for seven years and eight months, and will need to pass an extended test after that time.

Adrian Wainwright, designated investigating officer at Avon and Somerset Police, , said it is "shocking that anyone thinks it's acceptable" to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"Victor Rotundu has admitted his guilt and bears the responsibility for his friend's death," he said.

"He chose to get behind the wheel while more than two and three quarter times the legal limit for alcohol."