Drunk driver crashes through safety cones, killing M23 highways worker

In the early hours of July 8, Vilius Domarkas, 38, drove his Citroen Relay van erratically on the M23 at junction 9 southbound and entered a cordoned-off road-works area, fatally hitting highways worker Anthony Howe, 65, who had stepped out of his own van only seven seconds earlier. Domarkas had flown back to the UK from Lithuania the night before after staying at an alcohol-rehab facility. A blood test taken four hours after the crash showed a concentration of 221 µg per 100 ml, well above the legal limit of 80 µg. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Lewes Crown Court, where Judge Martin Huseyin imposed a ten-year prison term, a 16-year-8-month driving disqualification and ordered the seizure of his van.

Victim impact statements described Howe as a loving, caring partner, and his partner Lilian Bonney expressed profound grief. The defendant’s lawyer highlighted Domarkas’ remorse and his intention to return to Lithuania after serving his sentence.