Christopher Carne pleads guilty to manslaughter over Jacqueline Sainsbury death in Pindimar crash

The family of a Mid-North Coast grandmother just wanted “justice’ after she was killed by a drugged, drunk and speeding driver at Pindimar last year.

The family of a mid-north-coast grandmother killed by a drunk, drugged and speeding driver said after more than a year on from her death, they finally have some justice.

Jacqueline Marcia Sainsbury was sitting in her car on the side of the road talking to her daughter via bluetooth, when she was slammed into head-on by another vehicle at Pindimar, west of Hawks Nest, on October 4 last year.

The impact forced the car into a paddock before it collided with a tree.

Jacqueline Sainsbury was killed by driver Christopher Carne at Pindimar in October 2021 who was drunk and speeding. Supplied

Ann Sainsbury - the eldest daughter of Jacqueline Sainsbury spoke outside Newcastle court to media. Pic: Amy Ziniak

The 64-year-old mother of six from Bundabah tragically died at the scene.

“Mum was a go happy lady, she loved her kids, she loved her grandkids, she loved her great grandkids and she actually missed out on meeting two of them,” eldest daughter Ann Sainsbury said.

“She was taken to soon and we’ve got another one on the way that she’ll never get to meet either.”

Christopher James Carne was behind the wheel of the other vehicle.

Police facts detailed how the 47-year-old was speeding, at almost 150 kilometres an hour, on the dirt gravel road just after 11am when his Subaru Forrester careered into Ms Sainsbury’s vehicle.

Moments before the crash, witnesses have told how they saw Carne driving on the wrong side of the road and travelling at excessive speed before his vehicle “begun to sideslip”, according to court documents.

Toxicology reports following the crash also concluded Carne was under the influence of cannabis and alcohol which would have “substantially impaired” his driving ability.

Police facts said a passer by on a motorbike witnessed the crash and Carne’s vehicle travelling sideways before the impact.

Cheryl Harb - the daughter of Jacqueline Sainsbury also spoke outside Newcastle court of getting “justice” for their mum. Pic: Amy Ziniak

“She’s dead. He just f**king hit her,” he told police when they arrived at the scene.

Court documents said Carne’s vehicle also hit a tree and he was trapped in his vehicle before police arrived and told officers “Why am I stuck in this car? I don’t know what happened”.

The 47-year-old suffered fractures to his arms and legs and was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday Carne pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while charges of negligent driving occasioning death, drink driving and driving recklessly, speeding manner dangerous will all be used as backup charges.

A charge of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death was withdrawn.

An application for his detention was granted and he was immediately taken into custody, to be sentenced next month.

A crowd of family and friends, who wore black t-shirts with Ms Sainsbury’s picture on the front, packed the court room as they have done many times before.

Relieved the man who killed their mum, grandmother and great grandmother finally acknowledged he was responsible.

“Today is a win partially for us because he’s acknowledged the fact that he is guilty and he will serve his time and that’s all we ask for,” daughter Cheryl Harb said leaving Newcastle court.

“The fact she was taken so suddenly and so abruptly by somebody that knew the consequences when they got behind the wheel, we just want justice for our mum.”

Ann Sainsbury added: “We’re very pleased it has finally happened after 12 months, we have been waiting for this. It’s important for closure.”