Logan woman Patricia Koenig sentenced after NZ tourist injured in horrific Mullumbimby car crash

A Queensland driver who used to have a superb traffic record has had her fate decided after she made a grave mistake on the road, leaving a New Zealand tourist suffering gruesome injuries. Here’s the latest.

Patricia Koenig had no traffic history before the fateful smash, the court heard. She was described as remorseful and was treated for shock at hospital. Picture: LinkedIn

A Queensland driver has avoided jail-time after she made a grave mistake on the road in the Byron Shire, leaving a New Zealand tourist with gruesome injuries including a cut exposing her skull.

Logan area woman Patricia Koenig – who had no prior traffic history – pleaded guilty at Mullumbimby Local Court to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct.

Magistrate Karen Stafford has sentenced the 47-year-old from Kingston to serve two community correction orders of three and two years.

Police state in court documents Koenig was remorseful after she crashed a Hyundai into a Toyota Corolla on Coolamon Scenic Dr, Mullumbimby just before midday on September 8 last year.

Mullumbimby Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

The Hyundai crossed double lines as Koenig navigated a bend in the road.

Police state Koenig “crossed the double unbroken lines at the apex of a bend, resulting in a crash”.

A witness reported to police that Koenig exclaimed after the collision: “Oh my God, I think that was my fault.”

The Queenslander said she “just saw the car there” and she “couldn’t go anywhere”.

The crash caused the Toyota to spin 180 degrees and airbags went off in both of the cars.

Police state three New Zealand visitors were travelling in the Toyota.

A back seat passenger suffered a large cut to her forehead, exposing the bone. She also suffered from fractured ribs and a spinal fracture, according to the documents.

The driver and front passenger suffered cuts and bruises, while Koenig was taken to Byron Central Hospital suffering from shock.

Coolamon Scenic Dr, Mullumbimby. Picture: Google Maps

Koenig seemed in “serious shock” and “remorseful” at the scene, police state.

Her driver’s licence was disqualified for two years from March and Koenig was also ordered to pay a $5000 fine. A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Logan woman Patricia Koenig sentenced after NZ tourist injured in horrific Mullumbimby car crash