Sandra Lillian Bolt: Woman in court after crash at ‘notorious” Bethania intersection

A motorcyclist, who was left with a broken leg and ribs after a horrifying crash at a “notorious” intersection in Bethania, is still haunted by nightmares of the incident, a court has heard.

A motorcyclist, who was left with a broken leg and ribs after a horrifying crash at a “notorious” intersection in Bethania, is still haunted by nightmares of the incident, a court has heard.

Bethania woman Sandra Lillian Bolt, 69, leaving Beenleigh court.

Bethania woman Sandra Lillian Bolt, 69, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday to driving without due care and attention, causing the motorcyclist grievous bodily harm.

The court heard Bolt was driving a ute on High Rd, Bethania, before coming to a four-way intersection and crashing into a motorcyclist at 9.30am on May 29 last year.

CCTV footage of the incident played in court showed Bolt stopping at a stop sign at the intersection before failing to give way to the motorcyclist to her right, who had the right of way.

The motorcyclist entered the intersection, and because Bolt failed to see him, she also entered the intersection and collided with him before reversing her car and calling Triple-0.

The court heard the motorcyclist was left with significant injuries, including a broken left leg, broken left thumb, broken ribs and damaged right-hand shoulder.

He’s had seven operations and is still unable to walk properly or resume his work.

The court heard the victim was also still suffering mentally from the ordeal and had nightmares.

Bolt’s lawyer told the court his client had no criminal history, a limited traffic history, and was unfamiliar with driving a larger car like the one she had been during the crash.

He said the 69-year-old was “bitterly remorseful” for what happened, and the guilt of it all had caused her sleepless nights.

Bolt’s lawyer also described the intersection as a “notorious hot spot” for crashes where there had been many ongoing concerns that have since pushed the council to look at making some changes.

She was fined $3500 and disqualified from driving for six months. She was also ordered to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim. A conviction was recorded.