Back on the roads after fiery crash killed sister
A SKINCARE marketer responsible for an horrific, drunken crash that killed her sister will be able to get back behind the wheel on Monday.
Candice Lee Chmieluk wanted her licence back so she could drive her twin daughters, 7, around town.
She had been banned from driving for life after she pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court in May 2018 to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.
Chmieluk was on a suspended driver’s licence when she lost control of her fourwheel drive and smashed into a light pole on Thrower Dr, Palm Beach in May 2016.
Her Jeep was ripped in half and burst into flames.
Chmieluk was dragged to safety by bystanders but her sister Sammy-jo was killed on impact. Chmieluk blew a reading of 0.202.
The Jeep crashed just 2km from the Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club where Chmieluk and her 24-year-old sister had spent the afternoon drinking and having lunch.
In 2018, she was sentenced to five years’ prison to be suspended after she served three months. She was also banned from driving.
In February this year, Chmieluk went to the Southport District Court to ask for her licence back to transport her children around, travel for work and earn a “more sustainable income”.
On Friday, Judge Deborah Holliday ruled Chmieluk could have her licence back from Monday, March 14.
She said the material provided showed that the protection of the community no longer required Chmieluk to be disqualified from driving.
“I am satisfied that there has been a substantial change in character and conduct following (Ms Chmieluk’s) sentence, and she has demonstrated a legitimate purpose for obtaining a driver’s licence.”
Judge Holliday also summarised part of Chmieluk’s evidence.
“The applicant appears to now recognise that having a driver’s licence is a privilege and, due to a combination of circumstances, not having a licence has negatively impacted her young children and her work,” she said.
Judge Holliday’s reasons also show that Chmieluk has not driven or drunk since the crash.