Drink-driver crashed on school route

A Golden Bay mother who drove off the road during the morning school run has pleaded guilty to charges of driving with excess blood alcohol and ill treating or neglecting a child.

Kemhong Hwang, 43, appeared in the Nelson District Court yesterday. The court heard how at 8.15am last September 19, Hwang was driving on Lewis St in Collingwood, taking her three children to school when her car veered into a ditch.

The vehicle tipped onto its side and the airbags went off. Hwang and her and were taken to school where they were checked over by St John ambulance staff.

A strong smell of alcohol was noticed on Hwang. A subsequent blood test gave a reading of 133mg alcohol per 100ml of blood.

The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers 20 years and over is 50mg.

An analyst fee of $111.99 and medical expenses of $93 were sought by police in relation to the blood test.

Lawyer Ian Miller said Hwang had been drinking heavily at a party the night before the crash.

‘‘This is not a situation where she would usually become intoxicated to that extent, she is saying she doesn’t have a drinking issue.’’

Miller said the charge of ill treatment or neglect could be dealt with by way of a large financial penalty. He said Hwang had no previous convictions, there had been no injuries and it had been a low-speed crash. Since the incident she also had ‘‘considerable difficulty’’ sleeping.

Judge Bruce Davidson convicted Hwang on both charges, ordered a pre-sentence report to assess suitability for home or community detention, a victim impact statement and remanded her for sentencing on March 17.