A builder was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a drunk-driving crash on the M23 motorway resulted in the death of a highways worker. Vilius Domarkas, 38, had recently arrived in the UK from Lithuania when the fatal collision occurred in the early hours of July 8.

Court proceedings at Lewes Crown Court revealed that Domarkas was seen weaving between traffic lanes prior to the crash. He collided with Anthony Howe, a 65-year-old highways worker from Kent. Prosecutor Naomi Edwards described Domarkas as being heavily intoxicated at the scene, noting that his speech was slurred and he fell over when police arrived.

A blood test, conducted about four hours after the incident, measured Domarkas’s blood alcohol level at 221 microgrammes per 100 millilitres—significantly exceeding the legal limit. Domarkas pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Sentencing, Judge Martin Huseyin called Domarkas’s decision to drive on a motorway under the influence “truly shocking.” He emphasized the serious consequences of the defendant’s actions that led to a fatality.

Following the hearing, Mr. Howe’s partner, Lilian Bonney, described the profound impact of the loss, saying, “My world was ripped apart when Tony was killed. He completed me.” The case highlights the ongoing risks and severe penalties associated with driving under the influence on major roadways.