FORMER Olympian and Noosa Today columnist Benny Pike has been charged with drink-driving after the 64-year-old returned a reading more than three times the legal limit.
Local media reports said Mr Pike had enjoyed a late night out in Maroochydore before getting behind the wheel and driving to a service station in Marcoola to get food last week.
When he pulled up, a group of young people told Mr Pike he shouldn’t be driving and called the police.
Mr Pike reportedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.180 per cent and has since apologised saying that his mother being unwell and losing his job from the Palmer Coolum Resort in March had caused him to “spiral”.
“I’ve been doing all the right things, but then I got in a spiral of being without work, stress and depressed,” he said in a local media report.
“I am seeking medical advice, but I’m not in a good space and I haven’t been for some time.”
The drink-driving charge is the seventh charge for Mr Pike since 1987, with his last drink-driving offence eight-and-a-half years ago.
Mr Pike has surrendered his licence and a court date is yet to be set.
For help with alcohol visit www.drinkwise.org.au and for help with stress and depression visit www.beyondblue.org.au
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