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A tetraplegic woman who was caught drinking driving has been told by a judge that her disability probably kept her out of prison.
In Taupo District Court this week Karmen Donaldson, 35, of Taupo pleaded guilty to charges of driving while forbidden and driving with an excess blood-alcohol reading of 115mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal adult limit is 80, the Daily Post reported.
She was also found guilty of refusing to accompany a police officer, resisting police, assaulting police and refusing to give a blood specimen when requested by police.
The court was told Donaldson was paralysed in a car accident in 1999. She has a modified car which she operates with her hands.
Judge Chris McGuire told Donaldson she might have been jailed had she been able-bodied.
"Disabled people are just as capable as killing someone on the roads as others."
He banned her indefinitely from driving.
- NZPA
