Drink-driver Georgette Smith ploughed into crime scene at Doyalson North

A drunk driver who blew nearly five times the legal limit came to the attention of police after she sent traffic cones skittling which police had set up as part of a crime scene, a court has heard.

A 44-year-old woman has been sentenced to the court’s equivalent of a jail term after she ploughed into traffic cones police had set up as part of a crime scene.

Georgette Smith, of Lake Munmorah faced Wyong Local Court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving.

An agreed set of facts states Smith was driving south along the Pacific Highway at Doyalson North shortly before 2am on February 14 “when at the intersection of Basford Rd, she came under the notice of police whom had a partial road closure at the location due to crime scene examinations being conducted in the area”.

Georgette Smith leaving Wyong Local Court after she was sentenced for high-range drink-driving. Picture: NewsLocal

“Police had cause to close lane 1, which was well lit, had multiple police vehicles with flashing lights operating in that lane, it was blocked with witches hats gradually closing the lane 1, merging it with lane 2,” the facts state.

“As the accused approached the area she was driving in lane 1 of 2 where she began to collide with the witches hats closing the lane. She then suddenly came to a stop before merging slowly into lane 2, accelerating harshly toward police, who directed her to stop.

“The car stopped suddenly and the accused put the vehicle into park, and tried to start the vehicle again, even though it was already running.

“She opened the door and a heavy smell of alcohol came from the car. The accused was swaying in her seat and slurring her words.”

Police had established a crime scene and had blocked off one lane of the Pacific Highway with police cars with their lights activated and traffic cones. (File image)

She later blew 0.241 — “almost five times the legal alcohol limit”, the facts added.

Police suspended her licence immediately.

Her lawyer told the court Smith had been at a friend’s house for dinner and drinks the previous evening and never intended to drive.

She said Smith had gone to purchase internet credit for her nine-year-old son, who suffered from a number of conditions, “to prevent a melt down”.

Her lawyer said Smith was a single mother who was doing her best to raise her son and that Smith had been neglected and abused as a child leaving her with post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.

Georgette Smith (right) leaving Wyong Local Court after she was sentenced for high-range drink-driving with her lawyer (left). Picture: NewsLocal

Magistrate Caleb Franklin said the incident “can only be regarded as a serious example of a high-range matter”.

He said it was aggravated by the fact she collided with the traffic cones, her driving was erratic and the level of her reading was so far above the limit for high-range drink-driving of 0.15.

Mr Franklin said while Smith’s son had special needs “the court has to take into account community safety”.

He convicted her and put her on an intensive corrections order for 10 months with the added conditions she perform 100 hours of community safety and abstain from alcohol.

He also disqualified her from driving for six months and ordered she be subject to an interlock device for a further two years.

Police had established a crime scene at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Basford Rd, Doyalson North, when drunk driver Georgette Smith ran into the traffic cones. Picture: Google