Mother's distress drove M1 rampage
A GOLD Coast mum has made an emotional apology in court after a dangerous and destructive rampage down the M1, claiming it was a desperate bid to reunite her family.
Concerned motorists first reported Amber Jane Lucas’ van swerving at high speeds on Gowan Rd at Sunnybank Hills just before 3pm on August 20 last year.
Southport Magistrates Court was other witnesses called triple-0 within minutes, reporting the 40-year-old sideswiping vehicles or cutting them off as she hurtled down the Pacific Motorway.
Police prosecutor Michael Vanderhelm said officers received further reports of Lucas ramming another vehicle, almost crashing into a cyclist, and running other cars off the road before slamming into four parked vehicles.
Officers caught up with Lucas at Currumbin Waters, trying to stop her heavilydamaged van on Mayfair St.
Sen Const Vanderhelm said she repeatedly dodged police attempts to corner her on the no-through road, ignoring lights and sirens and even driving directly at officers.
“(Lucas) has driven at speed, ramming the police vehicle head-on … police have reversed and the van has driven again at the vehicle, attempting to ram it once more,” he said.
Nearby witnesses claimed Lucas had only narrowly avoided children on the street.
Police eventually used spikes to stop her vehicle, which she refused to leave or unlock the doors to.
Officers found a used bong when they searched the van, and Lucas later refused to provide a blood specimen for analysis.
The court was told she had previously been sentenced for dangerous driving in 2017.
Defence lawyer Zak Bagnall said his client, who was unlicensed at the time, had been separated from her 14-yearold son hours before the offending. He said Lucas was diagnosed with bipolar, anxiety, and depression, and her family thought she may struggle to care for her highneeds son while dealing with her own mental health.
“Essentially, on my instructions, she had a breakdown,” Mr Bagnall said.
“She simply wanted to create a scene on the road in any way possible so she could find her son again.”
Mr Bagnall said his client’s five months in custody had enabled her to receive necessary mental health treatment.
Lucas appeared in court via videolink from jail, wearing a high-vis orange shirt and quietly crying through much of the proceedings.
She asked Magistrate Veena Goverdhan’s permission to speak.
“In regards to my offending, I realise how serious it is – that’s why I’m so upset,” the Currumbin Waters woman said through tears.
“I’d just like to please be given the opportunity to do probation (or) parole and show not just the court, but my family, that I can be a really positive and valid member of the community.”
Lucas pleaded guilty to 10 charges including failing to comply with duties of a driver involved in a crash, dangerous operation of a vehicle with previous conviction, obstructing police, unlicensed driving and failing to comply with a requirement to stop.
She was sentenced to 18 months’ probation with parole release on February 20. She was also fined $2765 and disqualified from driving for two years and six months.