Cecilia Gai Rigby jailed for aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm after death of Lynette Jervis

A Coffs Coast repeat drink driver who caused a horrific smash on the Pacific Highway while behind the wheel at more than four times the legal limit has been locked up. Here’s what happened.

The crash at Boambee near Coffs Harbour, which resulted in the death of Lynette Jervis, 69.

A Nambucca Heads drink driver who caused a horrific three-car crash on the Pacific Highway while driving at more than four times the legal limit has now been jailed.

Lynette Jervis, a 69-year-old Bonville woman, suffered horrific injuries in the crash caused by repeat drink driver Cecilia Gai Rigby, 59, on September 4, 2020.

Ms Jervis suffered injuries including sternum, vertebrae and rib fractures, chest trauma, cuts, bruising and a small subdural haematoma – a build-up of blood on the surface of the brain.

She tragically succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital five days after the crash. Medical authorities failed to detect and treat the haematoma.

The Boambee crash scene. Picture: Frank Redward

Rigby had been drinking red wine over a six-hour period at the Plantation Hotel on September 4, after travelling there to meet with friends at midday.

Rigby left the pub at 6pm, but was only five kilometres into her return trip to Nambucca when she attempted to overtake a Subaru Forester, also headed south in a 100km/h zone.

She clipped the Forester, causing both vehicles to spin out, court documents state.

The Forester came to rest on a grassed median strip, while Rigby’s vehicle crossed into the northbound lanes, hitting a Nissan X-trail driven by Ms Jervis.

The Downing Centre District Court at Sydney heard on Monday Ms Jervis managed to get herself clear of the wreck, but died from the brain bleed.

Rigby, a full-time carer, was taken to hospital after the crash suffering from a broken neck and left wrist.

Tests revealed she had a blood alcohol reading of 0.208 – more than four times the legal limit.

The Pacific Highway crash. Picture: Frank Redward

Acting Judge Paul Conlon told the court Rigby’s drink driving put “every person” on the highway at grave risk.

The court heard Rigby was raised in Macksville, the sixth of eight children, and had used alcohol to deal with stress and “self medicate”.

She spent six weeks in custody on remand following her release from hospital before being bailed.

Rigby told police she had no recollection of the crash.

She told a consultant “I couldn’t stop crying for a month” when she heard of the death.

Emergency services on scene on the night.

The court heard Rigby had suicidal thoughts in the wake of the crash and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 – “a punishment from God” for her actions, she said.

“I am completely sorry”, she stated in an affidavit to the court.

Judge Conlon said Rigby “abandoned” her moral responsibility to other road users when she got behind the wheel drunk.

The court heard Rigby had two prior convictions for drink driving – low and high range.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm. Rigby was originally charged with aggravated dangerous driving causing death, but that charge was withdrawn.

Rigby was sentenced to a jail term of 30 months, with a non-parole period of 14 months.

She will be eligible for parole on November 12, 2024.

Rigby is also subject to a four-year licence disqualification.