Natalie Joy Felding: woman charged over drink driving

A woman has faced the ACT Magistrates Court after allegedly crashing into a Ford Mustang and leaving the scene. Find out what happened.

A woman who allegedly blew a blood alcohol reading almost four times over the legal limit after crashing into a Mustang has faced the ACT Magistrates Court.

Taylor woman Natalie Joy Felding, 43, was charged with level four drink driving, damaging property over $1000 and failing to give particulars after a crash.

According to a statement released by ACT Policing at 9pm on Monday a Taylor resident noticed Ms Felding’s green Holden commodore pulling into his driveway. .

Police allege the man then heard the woman attempt to start the car multiple times and then checked on her.

Natalie Felding leaves the ACT Law Courts on June 28. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The man then called ACT Policing at 9.40am prompting police to conduct patrols in the Taylor area.

Police allege at 10am they located a black Ford Mustang with damage to its front wheel and fender, and then located the green Commodore 250 metres away after following skid marks, but did not locate the driver.

The statement alleges police officers found Ms Felding walking towards the registered address of the green Commodore at 10.50pm.

Police allege the woman refused to answer questions about her vehicle, and was arrested.

Following a search police found keys for the green Commodore on her person.

She was transported to the City Police Station where she recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.194 police claim.

Natalie Felding will face the ACT Magistrates court again next month. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

When Ms Felding faced court on Tuesday, the court heard she was a repeat drink driving offender, and Monday’s incident fell on the fourth anniversary of her father’s suicide.

Ms Felding did not enter any pleas and applied for bail, which was not opposed.

Magistrate Louise Taylor granted her bail with conditions including not to drink and not to drive.

In a statement officer in charge of Gungahlin Station, Detective Inspector Dave Craft, described the incident as frustrating.

“There’s no justifiable reason to drink and drive, especially at levels like this,” said Detective Inspector Craft.

“It’s fair to say it’s just luck that it was only a couple of damaged cars in this case, instead of someone being seriously injured or killed.”

Ms Felding will face court again on July 18.