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A policewoman almost killed by a drunk-driver last week says she was "punished" for doing her job and is now in constant pain.
Bryony Brown, 30, sustained serious injuries, including a dislocated pelvis, four breaks and two haematomas, when a drink-driver ploughed into her on Wednesday night.
She had surgery on Thursday and now needs nightly injections to drain the haematomas while her leg is in traction. She has one, possibly two, major operations planned this week.
"While I sit in constant pain I think back and cry about how only a split second has changed my life so dramatically," she said yesterday.
"It is only two days ago I was running and chasing my kids around the house pretending to be Spiderman.
"It was only two days ago my two boys came up to me on the bed, jumped all over me and smothered me in kisses and cuddles.
"It disheartens me that I'm a working mother of two gorgeous young boys just trying to do my job and I'm punished like this."
Brown will spend six weeks in hospital and will need another six weeks of bedrest at home.
She will spend a further six weeks in a wheelchair before she can pick up a pair of crutches.
"I should be, hopefully, on my feet again by Christmas. It will be a nice present."
Brown's world turned upside down when she pulled over a car in West Auckland about 11pm.
She got out of her car and asked the driver to drive further forward, away from a dangerous stretch of road. Brown ended up crushed between his car and hers.
She was unable to say much about the incident for fear of prejudicing a Serious Crash Unit investigation and possible trial but she remembers panicking when she thought she might be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
"I was pinned for a long time between the two cars and I remember thinking, 'Why me?' and being very confused," the West Auckland resident said.
"I've come to realise if it wasn't me, it may have been someone else who may not have been so lucky to have had such a big bottom like mine, which took most of the impact, and may be in a far worse predicament than me.
"I felt my body just pop and crack like the plastic bubble wrap that you get. It is a sound I will never forget."
Brown's partner had to move the patrol car to release her body. Police colleagues arrived at the crash site offering prayers and support.
"I was pretty calm," Brown says, looking at her husband of nine years, Phil. "I was just really frightened he was going to run me over for a second time, and I was going to end up permanently in a wheelchair. All I could think of was my kids."
Brown graduated from Police College only 18 months ago.
"I've been asked so many times 'would I leave my job because of this?' The answer is absolutely, hell no. I would do this again tomorrow if it meant I prevented a drunk-driver from driving and killing an innocent person, child or family."
Tuvalu-born Ioelu Peniamina, 44, pleaded guilty to driving at more than twice the legal limit, at Waitakere District Court on Thursday.
The illegal immigrant was wanted by the Immigration Service who served him a removal notice but did not hold him in detention.
More charges are possible, pending the results of a Serious Crash Unit investigation.
