Karissa Leigh Harp sentenced for Yeppoon Road crash

What led to a Central Queensland mum’s horror car crash when she hit two other vehicles - sending one off a major road and down an embankment - has been revealed.

Karissa Leigh Harp was sentenced in Yeppoon Magistrates Court for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

A mother of three has been sentenced for causing a “frightening” car crash on a major Central Queensland road.

Karissa Leigh Harp, 40, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The court heard that about 4.50pm on December 2, 2022, Harp was driving an Audi on Yeppoon Road towards Rockhampton.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said Harp’s car swerved off to the left hand side of the road onto the grass verge before returning to her lane.

Mr O’Connor said a short time later, Harp veered from her lane over double white lines, into oncoming traffic, then “jerked back” into the correct lane.

“A witness observed the Audi veer across the double white lines towards the oncoming traffic several times, correcting each time,” the prosecutor said.

Mr O’Connor said Harp’s car veered over double white lines as a Toyota HiLux was passing and clipped the side of it.

Harp then hit the side of a Mitsubishi Triton.

“Due to the impact, the Triton began to spin, roll on its side, cross the incorrect side of the road and roll down the embankment on the opposite side of the road,” Mr O’Connor said.

The court heard Harp’s vehicle continued on for about 300m before stopping.

It was told the HiLux driver was uninjured and the Triton driver was taken to Rockhampton Hospital with minor injuries.

Harp was breath tested at the scene and returned a negative.

Karissa Leigh Harp.

Police observed her to be drowsy and confused, the court heard.

She was also taken to Rockhampton Hospital.

Mr O’Connor said Harp’s vehicle was inspected and found to have no defects that would have contributed to the crash.

The court heard a blood test taken at the hospital confirmed Harp had numerous prescription medications in her system.

It was told an ambulance report was given to police in which Harp stated she became distracted while driving.

Mr O’Connor said the female driver of the Triton had suffered from PTSD after the crash and had seen a psychologist.

The prosecution sought $2000 compensation for that woman.

Harp had a “minor” traffic history and no criminal history.

Solicitor Myles Heath said Harp had experienced “a substantial history of mental health issues” and documentation was tendered to support that.

Mr Heath said Harp had also been diagnosed with conditions including PTSD and bipolar.

He said Harp was a married mother of three - two of those children suffered from a condition for which Harp had advocated through public speaking and creating awareness.

Mr Heath said Harp, who had previously worked as a teacher, ran a hobby business from home and at the time of the offence she was “at the tail end of a civil workplace compensation claim”.

He said the day before the crash, Harp had gone through “a very gruelling psychological assessment.”

“And that had revisited some of the issues she was experiencing - she doesn’t specifically remember the actual day of the offence itself very well.

“But recalls at that time, her mental health was clearly struggling.”

Mr Heath said the offence was out of character for Harp and her lack of history supported that.

He said she was willing to pay compensation.

Prior to sentencing on August 1, Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said the crash would have been frightening for all involved.

She placed Harp on six months’ probation, ordered she pay $2000 compensation, and disqualified her from driving for six months.

No conviction was recorded.