Pole proves downfall for drink-driver

A GEELONG woman has been told she could have killed someone after crashing into a pole while drunkenly trying to park her car.

Jessica Muller was intoxicated when she drove to Geelong hospital and tried to parallel park outside the emergency department on Ryrie Street.

Geelong Magistrates Court heard Muller initially mounted the footpath with the car’s two left wheels before driving into a sign, causing it to bend backwards.

A concerned taxi driver called police after the driver emerged from the car “swaying”, “rocking” and staggering around on her feet, the court was told.

She twice fell into a garden outside the hospital before “zigzagging” her way into the emergency department.

When police arrived and spoke to Muller, they noticed she smelled of liquor and was slurring her words.

She rejected multiple requests to provide a breath test and at one stage became angry and swore at officers.

Muller was convicted and fined $800 on Friday after pleading guilty to careless driving and refusing a breath test.

Magistrate John Bentley said it was fortunate no one had died as a result of her decision to drive in such a drunken state.

“She could have killed someone. She was clearly paralytic,” Mr Bentley said.

The court heard the incident took place soon after 5am on August 18, 2019.

Defence lawyer Mary Foley said Muller’s trip to the hospital came after she relapsed following 3½ years of being sober.

“It was a serious incident,” Ms Foley said.

“She’s lucky she wasn’t hurt and neither was anybody else killed.

“She knows that and she’s extremely remorseful about this.

“She feels dreadful that she has driven in this fashion.”

Ms Foley said her client, a disability support pensioner, had not consumed alcohol since the incident.

“She’s come a long way,” she said. On top of the fine, Muller was stripped of her licence for two years and ordered to complete a drink-drivers’ awareness program.