TV presenter Tom Waes is in court today to give account for the traffic accident he caused in late November. After a night out, he crashed into roadworks and a crush-barrier while at the wheel of his vintage car. He sustained serious injuries and was even fighting for his life for a while. A worker who was at the road works suffered minor injuries.
Tom Waes was not wearing his seatbelt and according to the public prosecutor's office had 2.44 per mil alcohol in his blood, the equivalent of 14 units of alcohol. Waes later publicly admitted drinking too much and publicly apologised. He was also driving too fast, but the investigation could not determine exactly how fast.
He faces charges of unintentional grievous bodily harm in traffic, colliding with a visible obstacle, driving under influence and not wearing a seat belt.
For these four offences, Waes in theory risks a prison sentence, fines of up to 16,000 euros, a driving ban of up to five years and an alcohol lock in his car.
Waes told the court ‘I want to apologise extensively to the victim. When you're sober, you know you shouldn't get in a vehicle in such circumstances. If you've been drinking, you think: I'll still want to get home.’