Mix102.3 breakfast radio host Jodie Oddy banned from driving for 12 months after drunken crash
Mix102.3 breakfast radio host Jodie Oddy has been banned from driving after crashing into a tree while more than five times the blood-alcohol limit — and has issued an emotional statement.
Breakfast radio host Jodie Oddy has been banned from driving for 12 months after crashing into a tree while more than five times the blood-alcohol limit.
Oddy did not appear in the Victor Harbor Magistrates Court on Monday but, through her lawyer, pleaded guilty to one count each of driving with excess blood alcohol and driving without due care.
The 43-year-old was behind the wheel of a Land Rover that crashed into a tree on Mill Tce at Middleton, just after 5pm on December 9 last year.
Oddy, of St Peters, was taken to South Coast District Hospital, where she returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.256 – more than five times the limit.
The court heard another driver was forced to brake suddenly to avoid crashing into Oddy, who turned off Goolwa Rd on to Mill Tce in front of their car moments before the crash.
Ben Thilthorpe, for Oddy, said his client had limited recollection of what happened before the incident, which was in a 50km/h zone.
He said Oddy, who wrote an apology letter to the court, was “a woman of impeccable character”.
Character references, including from her Mix 102.3 breakfast radio show co-presenter Mark Soderstrom, were tendered to the court.
Magistrate Susan O’Connor said Oddy, who is now pregnant and expecting her fourth child in September, was a “successful woman of good character”.
“I accept that she is well thought of and what I’m dealing with is a situation, an episode, which was entirely out of character and, since that time, she has been extremely remorseful and extremely embarrassed,” Ms O’Connor said.
“I accept her confidence that such a mistake will never be repeated.
“It was a personal situation, which obviously overcame her temporarily and has led to this disastrous result.”
Ms O’Connor banned Oddy from driving for 12 months and fined her $1570.
In a statement to The Advertiser, Oddy said there was no excuse for the crash and that she took full responsibility.
“I was driving alone at the time and I’m very grateful that there were no other vehicles or people involved,” Oddy said.
“I am embarrassed, disappointed and so angry at myself for this stupid and dangerous mistake.
“I am so thankful that no one else was hurt and I am acutely aware of the ‘what ifs’ in this scenario because I have relived them every day for the last seven months.
“I obviously offer a heartfelt and unreserved apology to my family, my colleagues, and to the broader community.
“I appreciate the support I have received over the last seven months from friends and family, who are aware of the deeply personal circumstances surrounding these events.
“Until I can find healing and forgiveness within myself for this one-off lapse of judgment, they will remain personal and private.”