Woman jailed for causing 'horrific' SH2 crash between Tauranga and Katikati

Waihi beneficiary Maxine Avlon Paul, 58, was sentenced in the Tauranga High Court on Friday. Photo/File

A Waihī woman who caused a "horrific" head-on crash which seriously injured herself and three others has been jailed for two years and three months.

Maxine Avlon Paul, 58, who was last year found guilty by a jury of two charges of dangerous driving causing injury, was sentenced in the Tauranga High Court yesterday.The crash happened on State Highway 2 near the intersection with Aongatete Rd on January 7, 2017 after Paul twice grabbed the steering wheel of ex-partner Mark Bickley's station wagon and turned into oncoming traffic.

Paul and Bickley, who had been drinking, got into an argument and she suddenly reached over and twice grabbed the wheel, the court heard.

The station wagon hit a Toyota Hilux Surf that was driving on the other side of the road and the occupants, Hamilton couple Ciaran Dunn and Zoe Rothnie, were seriously injured.

Paul and Bickley were also badly injured.

Rothnie suffered ongoing effects from the crash, including flashbacks, headaches, anxiety and a minor hearing impairment.

Due to a wrist injury, Dunn had to give up his "dream job" as an automotive technician, and Rothnie had to support them both for a time. Bickley also has rehabilitation issues.

Dunn described his vehicle as "totalled" and he lost all his tools. He only had third-party insurance and Bickley's vehicle was uninsured, the court heard.

Paul was acquitted of a charge of attempting to murder Bickley. Bickley claimed that as Paul grabbed the wheel, she told him she was going to kill them both.

Justice Rebecca Edwards told Paul that a prison sentence was warranted, particularly as she had shown no remorse or attempted to make amends.

"This was a seriously dangerous, deliberate act which you committed without any thought for the consequences for your victims," she said.

Justice Edwards said it was sheer luck nobody died in the "horrific crash".

While Paul had limited means, the judge ordered her to pay $1000 to Bickley, $500 to Rothnie and $2000 to Dunn at $10 a week each.

Justice Edwards disqualified Paul from driving for a year on her release from prison.