Over limit and causes carnage
Agent ‘unaware’ of her M1 pile-up
A real estate agent was more than double the alcohol limit when she caused a pileup on the M1 and did not even notice the collision, continuing to drive for several kilometres.
Kylie Maree Dalziel was travelling on the motorway near Oxenford at about 10am on March 2 when she suddenly slowed to about 40km/h in a 110km/h zone and changed lanes without warning.
Southport Magistrates Court was told the manoeuvre caused three vehicles behind Dalziel’s to crash, including a prime mover with a trailer that jackknifed and blocked two lanes.
Prosecutor Gavin Reece said that despite Dalziel’s car being struck in the crash, she was completely unaware of what had occurred and continued some distance before being stopped by other drivers.
The 55-year-old later recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.113.
Dalziel – who was driving
under a good behaviour period at the time – made an application for a work licence that was opposed by police prosecutions and ultimately denied.
Representing herself in court on Thursday, Dalziel said she moved to the Gold Coast to care for her ill mother and reinvigorate her real estate career, but the stress began to get on top of her.
She told the court she had been sober and focusing on her health for months when she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“I’m extremely embarrassed – I’m actually devastated with everything I’ve done,” Dalziel said.
“I’m very sorry, (and) I’m having counselling to deal with my stress and to slow down in my life.”
Acting magistrate Sarah Thompson told Dalziel she should consider herself incredibly fortunate that the others involved in the crash suffered only property damage.
“It must have been some drink if that is the reading you still had at 10 o’clock the following morning,” Ms Thompson said.
“It could have been so much more tragic – that certainly is a matter of good luck, rather than good management.”
Dalziel pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving and driving without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road. She was placed on probation for nine months and disqualified from driving for four months.
No conviction was recorded.