Lisa Mottram accused of being ‘drunk’ and ‘texting’ when her car hit a family of four

LISA Mottram, the wife of a former NRL boss, has been charged with drink driving and texting after crashing her car into a family of four.

SYDNEY woman Lisa Mottram has been charged with drink driving and using her mobile phone while driving after hitting four tourists and critically injuring a four-year-old girl.

The 50-year-old estranged wife of former Parramatta Leagues Club boss Denis Fitzgerald had been out to dinner with friends at The Fiddler Hotel in Rouse Hill, and was driven home by a friend, the Daily Telegraph reported.

About 9.30pm that night, she reportedly left her Winning St apartment and drove to a nearby shopping centre to buy cigarettes.

On the way, she allegedly hit a family of four from Hong Kong, who were standing on the side of Hezlett Road where there are no footpaths.

Lisa Mottram pictured with ex-husband Denis Fitzgerald in 2014.

A four-year-old girl was taken to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition.

A 55-year-old woman with serious leg injuries was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

The girl’s parents, aged 45 and 44, were also taken to hospital and are in a stable condition.

A child and adult were taken to hospital after being hit by a car last night.

Inspector Katie Orr from NSW Police’s Crash Investigation Division alleged the woman’s blood alcohol reading was 0.113.

“The police will allege that she was texting, sending and receiving text messages at the time,” she said.

Police charged her with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, one charge of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, mid range drink driving, misusing mobile phone and misconduct causing bodily harm.

A white SUV with extensive damage to the front bonnet was examined by police.

Officers from The Hills Police Area Command established a crime scene with police from the Crash Investigation Unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

CCTV shows the moment Lisa Mottram allegedly crashed into the victims. Credit: Channel 10

New penalties for using your mobile phone behind the wheel came into force in NSW this week.

“The new increase has been from four demerit points to five so we are hoping it is a big deterrent because with the school holidays fast approaching and double demerit points that will double to 10 points which is close to a loss of your licence,” Inspector Orr said.

She said alcohol and texting were a “dangerous combination”, urging drivers to stay off their phones while behind the wheel.

“No one should get behind the wheel with any alcohol to that extent — I would suggest no alcohol.

“But on top of that to be using your mobile phone is extremely dangerous.

“It is a very big distraction. It always takes your attention away from the road and momentary inattention is a big problem where you can drive off the road and hit people.”

Mottram was granted conditional bail and ordered to appear in Parramatta Court on October 10.