Drugged and unlicensed driver Danielle Lewis jailed over T-bone crash that injured two people

High on three different drugs, illegally behind the wheel for a third time and on the run – this mother’s “haze of selfishness” ruined two innocent lives. Now she’s behind bars.

In May this year, Danielle Lewis cut off her home detention bracelet, got high on three different drugs and, despite being disqualified, got behind the wheel of a car.

It was the third time she had acted so selfishly, and was made all the more catastrophic when she ran a red light, T-boned another car and ruined the lives of two innocent people.

She fled the scene, returned to retrieve personal items from the wreck, then hid in a winery until police found her.

And while she claims prison time has changed her for the better, guards report she is a belligerent and verbally abusive rule-breaker who shows them little but disrespect.

On Tuesday, District Court Judge Joanne Tracey did not mince words as she jailed Lewis for almost five years, leaving the 26-year-old mother of one in tears.

Danielle Lewis. Picture: Facebook

Danielle Lewis claims prison time has changed her for the better. Picture: Facebook

“Your conduct on that night can only be described as reprehensible … you showed complete disregard for your disqualification and chose to drive with drugs in your system,” she said.

“The impact of your offending can only be described as devastating … (your victims) fail to understand how you could walk away from the mess you had caused.

“Your indifference to their wellbeing boggles their minds … you ran away in a haze of selfishness.”

Lewis, of Port Noarlunga South, pleaded guilty to causing harm and aggravated serious harm by driving dangerously while affected by amphetamine, methylamphetamine and cannabis.

She also admitted driving while already disqualified, due to previous drug-driving charges, and breaching a good behaviour bond with electronic monitoring conditions.

The crash, in May this year, left driver Rena Yaeger trapped and unconscious, and her passenger Jack Pearce with injuries.

Lewis pleaded guilty to causing harm and aggravated serious harm by driving dangerously while affected by drugs. Picture: Facebook

She gave an public apology from the dock insisting she was “not a heartless criminal, but a scared young woman”. Picture: Facebook.

Last month, they told the court of their ongoing trauma and difficulties as a result of the crash, including Ms Yaeger’s permanent brain injury.

Lewis gave a public apology from the dock, insisting she was “not a heartless criminal, but a scared young woman”.

In sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Tracey said that was difficult to accept given Lewis’ behaviour leading up to, and since, the crash.

“You say that you accept you ruined the victims’ lives and the lives of those around them, as well as bringing shame and disappointment to your family and your child,” she said.

“You say this has been a turning point in your life and you are strongly motivated to change … it’s difficult to have faith in your prospects for successful rehabilitation.”

She imposed a 33-month non-parole period and banned Lewis from driving for 12 years.