Killarney Vale: A disqualified driver, 34, crashed after police pursuit and later blew .098
A puff of smoke from a faulty exhaust pipe triggered a police chase which ended when the disqualified driver ploughed into a pedestrian crossing and later blew nearly twice the legal blood alcohol limit, a court has heard.
Central Coast
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Kathryn Louise Johnson should have been attending Hornsby Local Court today charged with driving while disqualified and with illicit drugs in her system.
Instead she found herself in the dock at Wyong Local Court after allegedly leading police on a wild 11km-long pursuit through Killarney Vale and Bateau Bay, which attracted the attention of hundreds of social media users.
The court heard Johnson allegedly reached speeds of up to 130km in an 80km zone before losing control near the intersection of Shortland St and Wyong Rd, out the front of the Shell service station, and crashed into the pedestrian crossing light.
As police approached the vehicle, she allegedly reversed, narrowly missing an officer before she was arrested.
The court heard police were patrolling Bateau Bay when they noticed a “puff of smoke” come from the exhaust of a Kia Sportage at 10.42pm on Wednesday.
When they went to stop the vehicle it allegedly sped away.
After the crash the 34-year-old was removed from the vehicle and subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result.
During a search, officers allegedly located 0.7g of cannabis in her clothing.
She was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where she returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.098.
Johnson was charged with not stopping during a police pursuit, dangerous driving with middle range PCA, drive while disqualified, and possess prohibited drug.
Her Legal Aid solicitor applied for bail saying the Killarney Vale woman could live with her mother at Jilliby and abide by any conditions imposed by the court.
She said Johnson was also seeking a spot at a residential rehabilitation facility.
However the police prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court she was supposed to be at Hornsby Local Court facing similar charges in driving while disqualified and with illicit drugs in her system.
Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis said Johnson had a history of not complying with court orders including warrants being issued for her arrest and breaching bail.
Ms Ellis said Johnson was on an intensive corrections order at the time having served some time in jail.
“Of greatest concern is the most recent of the nine driving without a licence (offences),” she said.
Ms Ellis said nothing stopped Johnson “with or without” a licence or court orders not to.
She was refused bail to face court again on July 8.