Priestley ends alcohol treatment

Priestley divides time between New York, Los Angeles and London

Actor Jason Priestley has finished an alcohol treatment programme imposed after a drink-drive conviction last year.

A judge accepted evidence from the actor's lawyer that the former star of Beverly Hills 90210 had completed the three-month programme.

He's done everything he's supposed to do

Peter Knecht
Jason Priestley's lawyer

Priestley, from Vancouver, Canada, crashed his silver Porsche into a lamp post, a parked car and some dustbins in the Hollywood Hills in December 1999.

The incident destroyed the car, while his passenger and best friend Chad Cook suffered a broken arm.

Priestley was sentenced to five days in prison by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor last year.

Judge Pastor also ordered Priestley to serve three years probation and enter a drug and alcohol treatment programme.

The actor's driving licence was suspended for a year.

"He's done everything he's supposed to do," Knecht said outside court on Tuesday.

Priestley crashed his silver Porsche because he was "avoiding a deer," according to Knecht.

"A deer happened to shoot across the road," Knecht said.

"Neighbours took pictures of deer," he said. "They all rallied around him. They were trying to be helpful ... because he was a likeable guy," Knecht added.

West End role

Priestley is best known for his starring role in Aaron Spelling's teen soap Beverley Hills 90210.

He recently acted in London's Apollo Theatre in a critically acclaimed production of the hit Broadway play Side Man, which ended its run on 6 May 2000.

Side Man marked Priestley's West End debut and his return to the stage following a 10-year absence.

His film credits include Love and Death on Long Island, Tombstone and Eye of the Beholder.