Paul Collie sentenced over highway crash which killed David Douglass on The Central Coast

A heavily intoxicated driver who killed a beloved Central Coast father in a catastrophic head-on crash after veering onto the wrong side of the road has been sentenced to jail.

Paul Anthony Collie, of Lake Munmorah, following a fatal crash at Doyalson on Halloween 2022. Picture: NewsLocal

A man who killed a beloved Central Coast father by driving on the wrong side of the road while nearly five times over the legal alcohol limit has been sentenced.

Paul Anthony Collie, 54, was convicted and sentenced to a non-parole period of three years and six months jail after pleading guilty to manslaughter over the horrific crash.

Collie, who is currently residing at Long Bay Hospital, told the court he was “so very sorry” and that he wished he could “press a rewind button”.

Just before 8.30pm on October 31, 2022, Collie was driving in Doyalson when he turned onto the wrong side of the Pacific Highway, heading southbound.

The court heard Collie passed three vehicles, with one driver sounding their horn and swerving off the road to avoid a collision.

Paul Anthony Collie, of Lake Munmorah, leaving Wyong Local Court after pleading guilty to a crash at Doyalson on Halloween 2022 that killed a man, 56. Picture: NewsLocal

At 8.30pm, Collie collided head-on with another car, killing the sole occupant, 56-year-old father David Douglass.

When police arrived, they found an empty wine bottle and an empty vodka bottle inside the vehicle.

Police found an empty bottle of wine in Collie’s Car.

Collie returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.227, although it is believed that at the time of the crash, his level was likely 0.274.

He suffered multiple injuries, including a skull deformity that has left him wheelchair-bound and with impaired cognitive function.

In a victim impact statement, the court heard Mr Douglass’ wife, Narelle Douglass, felt an overwhelming loss after the death of her husband of 25 years.

She now faces life as the sole emotional and financial provider and said she is continually retraumatised when she sees news of preventable crashes.

Paul Anthony Collie was sentenced in the Gosford District Court on Friday.

Mr Douglass’ children described their father as a beautiful man, a gentle giant, the greatest father, and a kind and loving soul who was a strong and steady presence in their lives.

Judge Tanya Bright said the Douglass family had been left heartbroken and in ongoing grief.

“Those agreed facts clearly disclose very serious objective criminality,” Judge Bright said.

“While very significantly intoxicated, the offender chose to drive a motor vehicle.

“The consequences of those decisions were catastrophic – the offender completely disregarded the welfare of other road users.”

Collie was sentenced to an aggregate term of seven years in jail.

He will be eligible for parole on December 18 2028.