Sarah Elizabeth Yevonn Gilbert faces Toowoomba Magistrates Court for high range drink driving, leaving the scene of a crash

A 28-year-old has faced court after she failed to stop at the scene of a crash when she collided with a motorcyclist who had to be hospitalised.

A drunk driver who crashed into a motorcyclist while four times over the legal alcohol limit fled from the scene of the incident, with police finding her at her home with empty beer cans in the car.

On the night of March 23, this year, Sarah Elizabeth Yevonn Gilbert was on her way home from a beer run to Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told on Thursday.

About 7pm, the 28-year-old was behind the wheel of a black Hyundai Getz when she attempted to turn left from Tor Street onto Hursley Road, police prosecutor Sergeant Tim Hutton told the court.

While attempting the corner Gilbert hit a motorcyclist waiting at the red light, with the rider then crashing into the vehicle in front.

Sarah Elizabeth Yevonn Gilbert, 28, pleaded guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on June 23, 2022 to high range drink driving and failing to comply with duties of a driver involved in a crash.

“The Hyundai turned left onto Hursley Road and did not stop, and a witness followed the vehicle,” Sergeant Hutton said.

“The witness returned to the crash scene and informed police.”

The court was told the rider was injured in the crash, and was taken to Toowoomba Hospital with neck pain, a broken rib and broken toe, while the driver of the second vehicle was taken to hospital with shock.

About 7.35pm, police went to Gilbert’s address and found her sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, which was parked in the driveway.

The court was told police found a half-empty can of beer in the centre console and a six pack in the passenger seat.

Sergeant Hutton said Gilbert told police she thought she hit a ute and heard a shout, but when she pulled over no-one came to her so she left.

Sarah Elizabeth Yevonn Gilbert, 28, pleaded guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on June 23, 2022 to high range drink driving and failing to comply with duties of a driver involved in a crash.

Despite claiming she was “so stressed” about the incident she skolled five beers, a breath analysis returned a reading of 0.226 more than an hour after a crash, which Sergeant Hutton submitted was inconsistent with her story.

In court, Gilbert pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of liquor and failing to comply with duties of driver involved in a crash.

Representing herself, Gilbert told the court she had accepted responsibility for her actions and was taking steps to address her issues with alcohol.

Gilbert told the court she was attending multiple alcohol rehabilitation meetings a week.

An equine groomer and contract track rider, Gilbert told the court she was also undergoing psychological treatment after “an awful” 18 months.

Acting magistrate Roger Stark described Gilbert’s conduct as “dangerous”.

Gilbert was sentenced to 18 months probation, disqualified from driving for 15 months and fined $400. Convictions were recorded.