Drink driver Charles John Torrens sentenced to jail after mowing down Joan Harrison, Patricia Hogan at Casino NSW

A repeat drink and drug driver from the Northern Rivers who mowed down two elderly women - killing one - threatened to sue police and council. Now, he’s learnt his fate.

Torrens ran down the women, killing one, after he downed about 10 beers at a funeral, the court heard.

A repeat drink and drug driver from the Northern Rivers who mowed down two elderly women - snatching the life of one - threatened to sue police and council after the crash.

Charles John Torrens hung his head below the videolink camera from prison as he faced Judge John Pickering in Lismore District Court.

He fatally ran down Casino woman Joan Harrison, 73, and badly injured Patricia Hogan, then 74, in the rural town near Lismore about 11am on April 13 last year.

Charles John Torrens was sentenced in Lismore District Court on August 16. Picture: Jason O'Brien

In April, the 58-year-old Richmond Valley man pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death with a prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA), causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle. Torrens has also been sentenced for shoplifting and contravening court orders.

Torrens struck the women on Barker St while behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry sedan.

Police and paramedics desperately tried to save Ms Harrison, but she was left critically injured and died the following day, while Ms Hoan was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a serious condition.

Barker St, Casino. Picture: The Northern Star/Doug Eaton/File image

Torrens was more than three times the legal alcohol limit when he struck the pedestrians – he told officers he had downed about 10 beers at a funeral the day prior.

He said he was hungry and had been in a rush to get to Mallanganee to feed his animals, the court heard.

CCTV captured Torrens leaving Casino Coles with a trolley full of stolen groceries before he hops into the car and drives through the CBD.

Torrens was captured on video racing past cars queuing at the intersection of Barker St and Walker St before the fateful crash.

Ms Hogan was knocked into the garden, while Ms Harrison was carried on the bonnet of the Toyota for several seconds before Torrens braked hard and she was flung onto the bitumen.

Judge Pickering told the court Torrens put a lot of people at risk with his “erratic” and “rushed” driving and he “didn’t wait at the roundabout” as needed.

The intersection where Torrens ran down the women.

Torrens exclaimed to witnesses: “I didn’t mean for this to happen, I didn’t think I’d ever kill someone.”

However, Torrens then threatened to sue police and council when he was arrested and breath tested, the court heard.

Ms Hogan said in a victim impact statement: “No one should have this happen to them.”

“My life is hell. I now live inside four walls – since the accident my life is now s--t,” she said.

“It’s even worse for the deceased’s family.”

Judge Pickering told the court during sentencing on Friday that Torrens “doesn’t respect court orders” and “has a history of stealing property”.

“You can be an alcoholic or a drug user and not drive,” Judge Pickering said.

Torrens was given “every opportunity” to overcome a heinous drink driving record before the incident, the court heard.

He was sentenced to five years and eight months jail with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. He will be eligible for parole release on February 12, 2028.

Torrens was barred from driving for five years once released from prison.

Originally published as Drink driver Charles John Torrens sentenced to jail after mowing down Joan Harrison, Patricia Hogan at Casino NSW