Deborah Anne Jarvis, 71, pleads guilty to drink driving crash at Millers Drive, Tugun

A Gold Coast grandmother’s decision to get behind the wheel after a long-lunch has landed her in hospital and in big trouble. Read what happened.

Deborah Anne Jarvis, 71, sentenced for a drink driving crash which damaged three cars at Tugun.

A Gold Coast grandmother who got behind the wheel of her car after a boozy beachside lunch has learned a “valuable” lesson – crashing her car and ending up in hospital.

Deborah Anne Jarvis was driving her silver Ford along Millers Drive, Tugun about 5.40pm on September 1 when she ploughed into a parked truck.

“This has caused her vehicle to become airborne and almost flipped,” police prosecutor Danielle Hunt told Coolangatta Magistrates Court on Monday, where Jarvis plead guilty over the drink driving incident.

“The vehicle has righted itself before travelling a short distance and colliding with a van,” Ms Hunt said.

A number of bystanders rushed to the 71-year-old’s aid and called emergency services.

She was transported by paramedics to Robina Hospital with minor injuries where a test result revealed the grandmother had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.138 – nearly three times the legal limit.

“She stated she had consumed four glasses of wine over the afternoon of the incident at the local surf club,” Ms Hunt told the court.

“Before returning home and having a further glass of wine.

“She has then driven her vehicle with the intention of purchasing bread for dinner.”

Deborah Anne Jarvis, 71, sentenced for drink driving crash which damaged three cars at Coolangatta.

Jarvis’ lawyer, Alan Moore, said his client was regretful of her decision to get behind the wheel and had learnt a “valuable” lesson from it.

“(She) has expressed tremendous remorse for her offending behaviour and lapse in judgement,” Mr Moore said.

“She is not someone who will appear again before this court for any type of similar circumstances.”

Mr Moore said Jarvis and her husband, who are both on the pension, had taken steps to compensate the owners of the two vehicles that were damaged in the crash.

“They anticipate relatively significant property expenses,” Mr Moore said.

“Further, my client is a well respected member of her local community. As well as a very active member.”

Magistrate Nerida Wilson accepted Jarvis’ behaviour was out of character and her guilty plea was timely and showed that she was remorseful.

“I have to say that I am at a loss. As to what is going on in the background that would cause such an error of judgement,” Magistrate Wilson said.

“At nearly three times the legal limit – it’s a grossly irresponsible act.”

Jarvis was suspended from driving for six months and ordered to pay a $600 fine.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Deborah Anne Jarvis, 71, pleads guilty to drink driving crash at Millers Drive, Tugun