A Romanian national who admitted causing the death of a pedestrian and injuring another in a Christmas Eve crash has asked to be deported once he is sentenced.
Nicolae Brica, 48, was almost twice the legal limit for driving when his Renault Megane struck Thomas Plane, 28, in Norwich in the early hours of December 24 last year. Mr Plane sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Brother injured in same crash
Mr Plane's brother, James, was also hit after the Megane mounted the pavement. He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Brica appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday (September 24) when a date for his sentencing was fixed for October 8. The defendant, who lives in Norwich, appeared in the dock wearing a white T-shirt. He was previously told to expect a custodial sentence. Brica told the court he "would like to be deported" after his sentence.
Alcohol reading and court admission
The 48-year-old previously appeared before city magistrates on Boxing Day when he admitted an offence of driving with excess alcohol. He had been arrested at the scene and found to have 68 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Brica admitted causing death by careless driving as well as causing serious injury to the victim's brother in the same crash.
Scene of the crash
Neighbours in Barrack Street said they were woken at 1.30am on December 24 by screaming and told reporters they saw a man trapped under a car. After the fatal crash in Barrack Street, two single red roses were placed on the pavement near the junction with Bargate Court and opposite Norwich Puppet Theatre.
