AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2008
Qld: Learner crashes car and injures pregnant friend: court
By Christine Flatley
BRISBANE, April 1 AAP - A learner driver had been drinking and smoking cannabis before
she ploughed into a power pole, seriously injuring her pregnant passenger, a court has
been told.
The Brisbane District Court was today told the 24-year-old victim suffered life-threatening
injuries when Alinta May Suey, 23, crashed her Ford Falcon during a late-night drive along
Brisbane's Lutwyche Road on December 6, 2006.
Suey's pregnant friend was trapped in the back seat for hours before being taken to
hospital, where she spent three weeks undergoing surgery to repair her diaphragm, which
had been ruptured when her liver protruded into it.
She also suffered injuries to her right arm and left shoulder, and received a fractured pelvis.
Miraculously, the baby was unharmed.
Suey today pleaded guilty to one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
causing grievous bodily harm, driving a motor vehicle over the general but under the high
alcohol limit and driving a motor vehicle while unaccompanied.
She was sentenced to 18 months jail but released today on immediate parole.
The court was told Suey was not adversely affected by the intoxicating substances but
that she had a blood alcohol reading of 0.054 per cent.
Under Queensland law, learner drivers are forbidden from driving with any alcohol in
their system.
The court was told Suey had crashed the car after having an argument with the complainant,
who had demanded to be let out of the car.
The court was told Suey had accelerated and turned around to continue arguing with
her friend, before ploughing into the pole.
Police alleged she was travelling at speeds of more than 80km/h in a 60km/h zone before
the crash.
Judge Tony Rafter disqualified Suey from holding or obtaining a licence for two years.
AAP cf/lc/imc/de
KEYWORD: SUEY
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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