Driver pleads guilty after mowing down two pedestrians

Sarah Jane Arrow (pictured) has pleaded guilty and has been warned she could go to jail. Photo / Facebook

A drink driver who mowed down two Christchurch pedestrians on Good Friday, breaking both legs of one man, has pleaded guilty today and has been warned that she could go to jail.

Sarah Jane Arrow, 45, failed to take a corner correctly in her VW car on the coastal Main Rd at Redcliffs just after 2pm on March 25 this year.

She hit the roadside barrier and the impact sent two pedestrians down a 2m bank onto rocks below.

One pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries, including two broken legs, extensive left-sided skull fracture, several broken ribs, and internal injuries.

The police summary of facts says the man's injuries require ongoing surgery and treatment.

The other victim suffered minor bruising and scratches.

Arrow was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol causing injury. She recorded 1009 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - more than two-and-a-half times the limit for prosecution at court, and four times the limit for an infringement notice.

She later told police she'd drunk two glasses of wine before driving and that she had sun in her eyes at the time of the crash.

Police had earlier received calls from members of the public concerned that Arrow had been "swerving over the road".

Arrow, of Sumner, pleaded guilty to drink driving causing injury at Christchurch District Court today, along with driving contrary to a zero alcohol licence which she had been granted on January 20 this year.

Judge Jane Farish asked for a restorative justice conference to be considered before Arrow is sentenced on July 26.

She remanded Arrow on bail with the conditions that she is not to drive or consume alcohol.

However, the judge warned Arrow that bail being granted today was no guarantee that she wouldn't avoid a sentence of imprisonment.