Gold Coast man was drunk and speeding when he crashed into two trees, killing his wife
Peter Edward Dowker had every chance not to get behind the wheel the night he killed his wife Lana Hufnagl in a high-speed crash on the Gold Coast. But then he made a decision that has touched dozens of lives.
Crime and Court
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PETER Edward Dowker had every chance not to get behind the wheel drunk the night he killed his wife when he smashed into a tree at high speed on The Panorama.
Dowker, 48, and his wife Lana Hufnagl, 57, were put into a taxi at the Tallai Golf Club on July 9, 2017 but Dowker told the cab driver to turn back, the Southport District Court was told this morning.
He then got into his car and drove with a blood alcohol reading of 0.213 per cent — more than four times the legal limit.
Minutes later Dowker veered across the road, over a gutter and into two trees, killing Ms Hufnagl, a retired teacher who worked at Mudgeeraba State School.
The court was told five seconds before the airbags released the car was travelling at 117km/h — 68km/h above the 50km/h speed limit.
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The car’s computer recorded the car going up to 139km h prior to the crash.
Dowker this morning pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and driving while under the influence.
He was sentenced to seven years prison with parole eligibility in November next year.
Dowker, a road engineer, was also banned from driving for two years.
Ms Hufnagl’s family listened in shock as the facts of the fateful night were read out in court.
Ms Hufnagl’s sister Donna Harris today had a simple message outside of court: “Don’t drink and drive.
“Its so clear — just act responsibly and save a life.”
Ms Hufnagl left behind two adult daughters and twin grandsons.
Her daughters were too distraught to attend court but did provide written victim impact statements.
Crown prosecutor Natalie Lima summarised the statements.
“(Ursula Hufnagl) described her mother not just as her next of kin but also her soulmate,” Ms Lima said.
“She said it was like living in a bad dream and in the 18 months that has passed the pain had not eased.”
Ms Lima said Ms Hufnagl’s other daughter Emily Stocker spoke about being devastated her children would not get to know her mother.
Outside court Ms Hufnagl’s niece Hayley Harris said the family was trying to move on.
“There are no winners in this,” she said.
Ms Harris said the family hoped people could learn from her aunt’s story and not risk driving while drunk.
Dowker’s barrister Peter Nolan told the court Dowker could not explain why he was so drunk the day of the crash.
Mr Nolan said Dowker had no memory of the crash and spent four weeks recovering from his injuries.
Dowker now walks with a cane because of his injuries, including a spine fracture.
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