Meds blamed over crash

A MEDICATION schedule breakdown has been blamed for an incident in which a woman sped down a busy road before crossing into incoming traffic and crashing through a fence into the Plainland McDonald’s.

Witnesses told police an erratic driver was speeding in excess of 120km/h before hitting a 60km/h zone and reportedly failing to slow down.

After leaving her parents place in an “angry, upset, and depressed state”, Rebecca Howard was seen driving erratically along Laidley-Plainland Rd.

The Gatton Magistrates Court was told the Laidley woman lost control at the roundabout near the new Mobil petrol station, mounted a kerb and crossed into oncoming traffic before crashing into a give way sign.

But the vehicle’s momentum continued to carry it across a grass culvert and on to the other side of the road before crashing into a fence at the nearby McDonald’s carpark. The vehicle spun 180 degrees and was facing the direction from which it came.

Police prosecutor Narelle Lowe told the Gatton Court Howard received treatment at hospital for her injuries and was unable to be breath tested.

Sergeant Lowe said the accident on March 11 occurred at 1.55pm, just before peak school traffic started.

The extensively damaged car was towed from the scene.

“It is unknown what the defendant’s actions were at the roundabout,” Sergeant Lowe said. “At the time, there had been several vehicles parked in the McDonald’s carpark, there were pedestrians entering and leaving the premises.”

Police later spoke with Howard, where the 39-yearold said she could not recall the crash.

“She had no recollection of being in hospital or the treatment she received,” Sergeant Lowe said.

Howard said she suffered from bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and hypertension and was medicated for the conditions. She said at the time she was stressed following the breakdown of a nine-year relationship and relocating from Victoria to the Lockyer Valley, Sergeant Lowe told the court.

Duty lawyer James Ryan said a referral from a mental health liaison confirmed his client’s disorders.

“It explains the circumstances. It was assessed due to her mental health condition, while her capacity wasn’t deprived, at the time she was impaired,” he said.

Mr Ryan said Howard had since secured part-time work and he asked the court not to record a conviction so as to not impede future employment prospects. “She broke up from a nine-year relationship and also describes her ex-partner as being integral in her appropriately taking medication,” Mr Ryan said.

Howard pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle. She was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for six months. No conviction was recorded.