Janelle Rogerson, 50, drank ‘cask of wine’ before hitting cop car, injuring police officers

A police officer has told a court that she had to save the life of the drunk mother of five who slammed into her after a horror crash.

A mother of five who had consumed a “whole cask of wine” before getting in the car, speeding through a stop sign and slamming into a police patrol car was saved at the scene by one of the officers she hit.

Sitting silently in the South Australian District Court on Tuesday morning, Janelle Marjorie Rogerson, 50, of Strathalbyn, heard the extent of the pain she caused two police officers after T-boning them at an intersection in 2023.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated causing harm by dangerous driving.

Janelle Rogerson leaves court.

She was charged over a horror smash involving a police car.

The court heard Rogerson had consumed a “whole cask of wine” before she got in her car at 1.30am on October 24, 2023.

In her victim impact statement, one of the police officers explained that she had to save the life of the woman who had just hit her.

“I was in a unique situation on the night of October 24, 2023. After being involved in a high speed vehicle rollover, I felt in shock and was in pain, but instead of being looked after by emergency services, I was the only emergency service on scene,” the officer said.

“I commenced first aid, caring for and protecting you Janelle from further harm. I stood by your side talking with you, reassuring you and made sure you stayed alive.

Two police officers were hit by Janelle Rogerson in October 2023. Picture: 7NEWS

Two police officers were hit by Janelle Rogerson in October 2023. Picture: 7NEWS

“I checked for your pulse, I opened your airways and I ensured you continued to breathe whilst waiting for an ambulance. Watching the ambulance officers take care of you, support you and offer you pain relief, all while I stood in the weather acting professionally, wondering at what point someone was going to ask me if I was going okay.”

The veteran cop, who has been an officer for 17 years, said Rogerson’s irresponsible, inappropriate and extremely dangerous behaviour “caused myself and my family to live through a nightmare of pain and anxiety”.

“You drove your vehicle through an intersection at speed while intoxicated, putting my life on the line as well as the life of my work colleague.”

Judge Anne Barnett heard that on top of the alcohol, Rogerson had cannabis in her system at the time of the crash.

Prosecutor Sophie Wilson said Rogerson was found unresponsive and slumped over her steering wheel when other emergency services arrived at the scene.

Two police officers then had to assist Rogerson at the scene to save her life. Picture: 7NEWS

Rogerson was severley intoxicated when she hit the police car. Picture: 7NEWS

“The defendant was severely intoxicated at the time of the offending, nearly six times over the legal limit. (Her blood alcohol concentration) was 0.310,” Ms Wilson said.

“She said she started to drink at 1pm, has no recollection of leaving the house, but recalls drinking a whole wine cask.

“At the time, her drivers license was also expired.”

Ms Wilson asked that Rogerson’s bail be immediately revoked, and urged Judge Barnett to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Judge Barnett refused to revoke her bail, and Rogerson will return to court next month for sentencing.

She declined to comment outside court.