Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer Charged With DWI After Slamming Into Parked Cars
An Oscar-nominated cinematographer was charged with felony aggravated DWI on Monday, the Daily News reported.
Stuart Dryburgh was driving his son to soccer practice when he plowed into three cars near the intersection of Degraw Street and 3rd Avenue. No one was injured in the incident.
After slamming his 2014 BMW into a Mercedes, Acura, and Toyota, the police were called by someone nearby who heard the crash take place.
The Daily News reported Dryburgh’s Breathalyzer test registered a .213, which is more than double the legal limit of .08. He admitted to drinking beer and bourbon before getting behind the wheel.
While it was his first DWI charge, he was charged with felony aggravated DWI due to driving with a minor.
Because a child was in the vehicle, the charges were upgraded to felony aggravated DWI under Leandra’s Law, which was passed in 2009.
The New Zealand-born cinematographer is a Brooklyn resident.
Dryburgh was nominated in 1993 for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on The Piano. He lost to Janusz Kaminski who won for Schindler’s List. More recently, he has worked on Boardwalk Empire and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Dryburgh could face up to four years in prison if he is convicted.