Crash survivor happy drink driver to be jailed

File photo / Greg Bowker

A woman who was injured and lost her friend after a drink driver crashed into their picnic near Otaki says she is still suffering from emotional trauma.

Kyle Richard James, 37, pleaded guilty in the Levin District Court today to manslaughter and driving with excess breath alcohol causing injury. James killed Shelagh Cotter, 69, and injured Marilyn Jeffery when his Subaru station wagon mounted a grassy verge and ploughed into them as they had coffee on the side of a rural road on October 30.

Mrs Cotter was sitting in the driver's seat with her feet outside and Mrs Jeffery was sitting on the grass just before the crash. They were on a garden tour and had stopped for morning tea. Mrs Jeffery, 62, suffered cuts to her face, bruises and a cracked sternum.

James' breath alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

Outside the court today, a tearful Mrs Jeffery said she was physically getting better but still going through emotional trauma. She said she was happy James would most likely be jailed - as indicated by Judge Gregory Ross.

Husband Don Jeffery said the experience had been more difficult than he could say.

An unemotional James, dressed in a pin-striped suit and tie, was remanded in custody for sentencing in the High Court at Palmerston North on February 22. Bail was denied by Judge Ross because of the likelihood that James would be jailed on sentencing.

Mr Jeffery said remanding him in custody was the best outcome for now and he was pleased that James could not spend Christmas at home with his family.

James had lost his job as a sales assistant because of the incident and until today had full time care of his two children.

Mr Jeffery said the crash should highlight the danger of drink driving.

"Christmas was a big thing for Shelagh but she won't be there and it won't be the same. Don't get out there and drink drive, it's like Russian roulette. It's not safe for the rest of us either."

Mr Jeffery said it was good to see James in court "to have someone to project our anger towards. I still do hate him. It was strange to see such a clean looking upright gentleman in a suit, but I guess drunks wear all sorts of clothes."

- NZPA