Candice Chmieluk gets licence back four years after crash that killed her sister

A skincare marketer responsible for an horrific, drunken crash that killed her sister will soon be able to drive again. Read what happened in court.

A skincare marketer responsible for an horrific, drunken crash that killed her sister will be able to get back behind the wheel on Monday.

Candice Lee Chmieluk wanted her licence back so she could drive her twin daughters, 7, around town.

Candice Lee Chmieluk outside Southport Court in 2018. Picture Glenn Hampson

She had been banned from driving for life after she pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court in May 2018 to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.

Chmieluk was on a suspended driver’s licence when she lost control of her four-wheel drive and smashed into a light pole on Thrower Drive, Palm Beach in May 2016.

Her Jeep was ripped in half and burst into flames.

Chmieluk was dragged to safety by bystanders but her sister Sammy-Jo was killed on impact. Chmieluk blew a reading of 0.202.

The Jeep crashed only 2km from the Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club where Chmieluk and her 24-year-old sister had spent the afternoon drinking and having lunch.

In 2018, she was sentenced to five years’ prison to be suspended after she served three months.

She was also banned from driving.

The scene of a the crash in Palm Beach in May 2016 Photo: Mike Batterham.

In February this year, Chmieluk went to the Southport District Court to ask for her licence back to transport her children around, travel for work and earn a “more sustainable income”.

On Friday, Judge Deborah Holliday ruled Chmieluk could have her licence back from Monday, March 14.

She said the material provided showed that the protection of the community no longer required Chmieluk to be disqualified from driving.

“I am satisfied that there has been a substantial change in character and conduct following (Ms Chmieluk’s) sentence and she has demonstrated a legitimate purpose for obtaining a driver’s licence.

The scene in the days after the crash. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Judge Holliday also summarised part of Chmieluk’s evidence.

“The applicant appears to now recognise that having a driver’s licence is a privilege and, due to a combination of circumstances, not having a licence has negatively impacted her young children and her work,” she said.

“Further, and importantly, she appears to have insight into the importance of being a careful and responsible driver in the future and is committed to being that kind of person generally.”

Judge Holliday’s reasons also show that Chmieluk has not driven or drunk since the crash.

She also regularly attended counselling and has done a number of courses, including for traffic and alcohol abuse.

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