Bronwyn Holcombe jailed for causing devastating Palmwoods crash

The decision to drive 1.4km to the pub while six times the legal blood alcohol limit led to a Sunshine Coast woman causing a horror collision, which has left her severely injured passenger “living a nightmare”.

Bronwyn Sherie Holcombe faced Maroochydore District Court on Friday last week. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Nambour mother has been jailed after she drunkenly ploughed into an oncoming car with an unrestrained passenger while six times the legal blood alcohol limit.

Bronwyn Sherie Holcombe’s “blind” drunk trip to the local pub was only 1.4km long however the decision to get behind the wheel with her neighbour on September 9, 2022 altered their lives forever.

The trail of destruction was heard until late Friday afternoon in Maroochydore District Court following pleas of guilty to dangerous operation of a car causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected and driving under the influence of liquor.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks said the 42-year-old woman and her neighbour planned to go to the Palmwoods Hotel for drinks that night. She said Holcombe was heavily intoxicated at the time but nevertheless decided to drive.

Holcombe outside court at a previous mention. Picture: Patrick Woods

The court heard Holcombe claimed she wanted to walk however said her neighbour asked her to drive, which she agreed.

Ms Marks said the 42-year-old drove her small Nissan Tiida with her unrestrained passenger the three minutes up the road when she failed to negotiate a bend on Chevallum Rd.

The crown prosecutor said Holcombe’s vehicle crossed the white double lines and ploughed straight into a Toyota Prado four-wheel-drive, which was driven by a mother with her 13-year-old daughter as her passenger.

Holcombe’s smaller vehicle sustained most of the damage with the crash trapping her passenger underneath the glove box, with her head and neck resting against the bottom of the seat.

The victim was rushed to the intensive care unit where she suffered multiple fractures including to her spine, ribs, hip and wrist, along with bleeding behind her abdominal cavity.

She was supported by friends and family in court on Friday. Picture: Patrick Woods

She was hospitalised for a month and eventually needed a hip replacement.

Fortunately the 4WD’s passengers escaped with only whiplash.

When officers at the scene of the crash asked for a specimen of breath from Holcombe, she said “I know I’m f---ed”, the court heard.

She later returned a blood-alcohol content of 0.300 per cent, six times the legal limit.

In a crushing victim impact statement, Holcombe’s passenger spoke of the “indescribable” pain from the collision.

She said she was fit and healthy prior to the crash, however this all changed due to her serious injuries.

The victim described waking up in hospital with a breathing tube down her throat, with no memory of the crash and was “living a nightmare”.

Since leaving hospital the neighbour stated she suffered severe financial hardship as she had to leave her job. She is only cleared medically to work four hours a day due to her lingering injuries.

“My life will never be the same, getting in that car on September 9, 2022 ruined my life,” the victim wrote.

Ms Marks said Holcombe’s offending was made more serious due to her “complete and utter disregard” for the road rules, evidenced by her traffic history.

Her reading was 0.300 per cent after the crash. Picture: Patrick Woods

This included entries for speeding, exceeding speed limit in school zone, failing to stop at a red light and stop sign, using her phone while driving, driving unlicensed and driving with an unrestrained passenger.

Defence barrister Lily Brisick said Holcombe completed significant rehabilitation after she was charged and was deeply remorseful, even writing a letter of apology to the victim.

Ms Brisick said the 42-year-old accepted she would be going to jail on Friday, in view of her family and friends who were present in the public gallery.

The defence barrister said Holcombe suffered her own injuries in the crash which included a broken sternum, wrist, ankle and a concussion.

She said the Nambour woman also had post traumatic stress disorder partnered with previous addictions which she was seeking assistance for.

Judge Ian Dearden told Holcombe she was “absolutely blotto” or “blind” drunk while driving, with it being one of the highest readings he had seen in almost 40 years in law.

Judge Dearden said the passenger had the initial responsibility to have her seatbelt on and asked Holcombe to drive, but the onus fell onto the 42-year-old because she was the driver.

“It wasn’t an accident, it was preventable,” the district court judge told Holcombe.

The 42-year-old was jailed for three and a half years, to be suspended after she served nine months of actual custody.

Holcombe was also disqualified from driving for four years.