Patricia Koenig: Qld driver pleads guilty after Mullumbimby, North Coast crash leaves NZ tourists injured

A Queensland woman with no prior traffic record made a grave error driving in the Byron Shire - leaving a tourist with shocking injuries including a large cut exposing her skull.

Patricia Koenig, 47, had no prior traffic history - but a grave error on the road injured three women and landed her in Byron Bay Local Court. Picture: LinkedIn

A woman has faced court after she crossed to the wrong side of the road and crashed her car into another vehicle on the North Coast, leaving a tourist with shocking injuries including a large cut exposing her skull.

After the Byron Shire collision, Patricia Koenig exclaimed “oh my god, I think that was my fault”, according to a witness who spoke to police.

“I just saw the car there,” Koenig reportedly said.

“I couldn’t go anywhere.”

Part of Coolamon Scenic D, Mullumbimby. Picture: Google

Koenig had no traffic history before the crash. She appeared to be in “serious shock” and “remorseful” at the scene, police state in documents before Byron Bay Local Court.

The 47-year-old of Kingston in Queensland pleaded guilty in the court on Monday to dangerous driving and causing bodily harm by misconduct.

Koenig was driving a Hyundai along Coolamon Scenic Dr at Mullumbimby about 11.50am on September 8 last year.

Koenig’s vehicle crossed on to the other side of the road when she took a corner.

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

Koenig will be sentenced at Byron Bay Courthouse

Koenig crashed into a Toyota Corolla, causing it to spin 180 degrees. Airbags erupted in both cars.

Three New Zealand holiday-makers were travelling in the Corolla.

The back seat passenger’s large forehead cut exposed bone, while she also suffered fractured ribs and a spinal fracture.

The Corolla driver and front passenger escaped with minor cuts and bruises.

Paramedics took the badly injured woman to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Koenig was taken to Byron Central Hospital, suffering from shock.

She is due to be sentenced on March 5.

Originally published as Patricia Koenig: Qld driver pleads guilty after Mullumbimby, North Coast crash leaves NZ tourists injured