In the cold light of day - I agree wholeheartedly with Crab.
It is symptomatic of a bunch of guys go into a burning building to save a small child from burning to death - only to burn to death themselves. At the scene - almost everyone would be sympathetic with the guys but the next day having read it in the newspapers - they would probably have said - what idiots.
This is where being human shows its true colours - we are after all - unpredictable and vunerable to high emotion.
On the day of the race this guy probably thought he had no option and that saving life is more important than breaking the rules......and occasionally it is....but he had time to assess the situation and he had innocent people on board who may have become victims themselves if he had relapsed under duress. Then how would the fraternity have felt about this so called 'hero'.
The deceased's relatives, his own family, lawyers - all would have been embroiled in a very tumultuous outcome for years to come. Would it have been worth it?
The weakness here, is human frailty and it will be up to the judge after he has found him guilty - to be lenient.
I bet loads on here can attest to this situation........but never got caught!