Gymea Bay mother Erin Nixon pleads guilty to driving almost five times the limit with kids in car

A mother almost five times the legal blood-alcohol limit with three children in her car told police she had not consumed any alcohol hours before crashing her luxury Audi SUV.

Sutherland Shire woman Erin Nixon pleaded guilty at Nowra Local Court to high-range drink driving after crashing over a roundabout on Princes Hwy, South Nowra (pictured).

A mother who crashed her luxury SUV through a roundabout with her three-month-old infant in the car told police she had consumed six beers the night before getting behind the wheel.

Erin Nixon, 33, pleaded guilty at Nowra Local Court last week to high-range drink-driving after returning a blood-alcohol reading almost five times the legal limit on the Princes Hwy at South Nowra on September 29 this year.

About 11.30am, the Sutherland Shire woman was driving her grey Audi Q5 about 20km/h under the speed limit when she collided with the roundabout at the intersection of Hillcrest Ave, travelling over the garden bed and stopping a short distance after, court documents reveal.

“The impact caused major damage to the vehicle’s wheels, tyres, and suspension,” agreed police facts state.

“Shortly after, police attended the scene and found the vehicle stationary at the intersection of Kinghorne St and Princes Hwy.

Intersection of Princes Hwy and Kinghorne St, South Nowra. Picture: Google

“There were no airbags deployed, and inside, police located three children.”

In addition to the three-month-old infant, a four-year-old and a five-year-old child were also located inside at the time.

The children were restrained in their seat belts, which were correctly fitted.

Speaking to Nixon following the crash, officers said the Gymea Bay woman smelt of liquor and appeared unsteady on her feet.

She was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station, where she recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.249g, almost five times the legal limit. Nixon told officers he’d consumed six Pilsner-brand beers since 10pm the night prior and had since eaten only a sandwich.

Nowra Local Court. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

She told police her last drink was at midnight.

Following her arrest, Nixon entered into the St John of God Burwood Hospital Mother and Baby Unit on October 24, which provides perinatal mental health services.

She did not attend Nowra Local Court, where her sentencing was adjourned until next year for her lawyers to make a Section 14 application under the Mental Health Act.

Under the Act, a person charged with a criminal or traffic offence who suffers from a mental health impairment or cognitive impairment might be allowed to avoid a criminal record. But, a magistrate or judge must find the application proven should it proceed.

Nixon will return to Nowra Local Court on January 25 for sentencing.