Samantha Speedie: Methed-up driver crashes into truck on Princes Highway

A methed-up driver who was a former firefighter was high on drugs and had no sleep when she crashed into a truck on a busy highway. But her lawyer said she was only driving for one reason.

Former CFA volunteer Samantha Speedie pleaded guilty to driving offences in Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednedsay June 16. Picture: Facebook

A methed-up driver was high on meth and had no sleep when she crashed into a parked truck causing a horrific highway crash, a court has heard.

Samantha Speedie pleaded guilty to four driving offences in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The court heard the 25-year-old Malsmbury woman, a former firefighter, was high on methamphetamines and had no sleep when she collided with a parked truck on the Princes Highway on Wednesday April 29.

Speedie was swerving her grey Mazda sedan across the highway near Rosedale, in the Gippsland region.

Ahead of her, a truck driver was pulled over and was about to step out to check his load when the Mazda smashed into the back of the truck.

The court heard Speedie fell asleep at the wheel moments before the crash, and drugs were later detected in her system.

Speedie told police she had not taken drugs, but was in the same room when her friends were smoking cannabis and meth.

Magistrate Patrick Southey said the former volunteer firefighter’s recklessness on the road was “alarming”.

“(So many) have been wiped out by a drug driver,” Mr Southey said.

This was not the only time Speedie was in trouble behind a wheel after her licence was suspended when she was caught speeding 30km/h over the limit earlier in the year.

She was also busted driving on a suspended licence at Malsmbury at 12.10am on Saturday April 4.

Her lawyer, Rebecca Heley said her client was suicidal that week and was driving to Bendigo Health for a mental health assessment.

“She wasn’t rational at that point in time so she drove to hospital,” Ms Heley said.

Ms Heley said her client had been diagnosed with major depression and a borderline personality disorder.

She also said it was Speedie’s first time before the courts.

Speedie was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, including a road trauma awareness course.

Her licence was also disqualified but she was not convicted.

If you or someone you know is in need help, call Lifeline on 131 114, visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp, or call beyondblue on 1300 224 636

A CFA spokeswoman contacted The Bendigo News to clarify Samanatha Speedie was not a volunteer at the time of her offending and was no longer part of the brigade.