If this wasn't dumb enough, his subsequent actions were crazy.
He failed to stop for police, turned off his headlights, drove on the wrong side of the road, reached speeds exceeding 130km/h in a 60km/h zone, and eventually lost control at the Totara St and Hull Rd roundabout. He hit a raised traffic island and his vehicle became airborne and flew about 10m before crashing into a factory.
He blew 924 micrograms - more than double the legal adult limit, wrote off his car and caused $2500 damage to the building.
This incident doesn't make sense. Sabanli has spent years studying to be a doctor and I can only imagine they were gruelling years. Getting into medical school and qualifying must one of the most difficult career paths to take. Why, after all that, would he risk it by seriously breaking the law?
What made this case even more bizarre was that he put on a funny-looking Guy Fawkes mask to hide his face from the Bay of Plenty Times after leaving court. Presumably this was so readers could not see his face but all it did was make him look silly.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. The judge said Sabanli "won't be getting community work from me" which indicated a more serious punishment.
This could well have blown his career. He has already resigned from Tauranga Hospital. The Medical Council of New Zealand says it might refer the matter to its professional conduct committee after being formally told of the conviction. This could lead to reviewing Sabanli's practising certificate or limiting the scope of his practice. He might also be referred to a health and disability tribunal.
Or the council may do nothing.
Is this last option good enough? In my opinion no. It would be a shame to see a person's career ruined over one mistake but Sabanli was reckless and showed no regard for human life that night.
There is no place for him in our medical profession.
