Westport crash driver 'stuffed up lives', court hears

Jamie Lee Mackay pleaded guilty in Westport District Court to two charges of causing injury while driving drunk. Photo / File

A Westport man who smashed at high speed into the car of an elderly couple after drinking home brew has "stuffed up their lives forever", says a district court judge.

Jamie Lee Mackay, aged 25, pleaded guilty in Westport District Court yesterday to two charges of causing injury while driving drunk.

After the October 29 accident the 80-year-old driver of the car Mackay hit spent six weeks in intensive care at Christchurch Hospital. His injuries included a fractured hip, elbow, thorax and multiple ribs and he is still recovering in Greymouth Hospital.

The man's passenger, his 73-year-old wife, was hospitalised after the accident with a broken sternum and still suffers pain and discomfort.

Judge Noel Walsh read to the court from the victims' impact statements.

The man said he would most likely need ongoing rehabilitation and his mobility was reduced. His hands were "buggered" so he didn't think he would be able to garden again which had been his great hobby.

What saddened him the most, however, was not being able to see his wife every day.
In her own statement, his wife spoke of her loneliness at being in their home without her husband and how hard that was for her after a long marriage.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer told the court Mackay had been drinking homebrew with a cousin on the day of the accident. He then drove down Westport's Peel Street and stopped to pick up a 14-year-old associate.

With the associate as a front seat passenger he drove south along Peel Street, in a 50km/h zone, at speeds of between 88km/h and 93km/h. He went straight into the Brougham Street intersection without stopping and struck the victims' car side-on, shunting it across the road.

His own car ended up on its side against a tree beside Phelan Hall.

Firefighters had to cut the 80-year-old from the wreckage of his car.

A blood test taken in Greymouth showed Mackay had a blood alcohol reading of 124mg.

Mackay appeared in court wearing a neck brace as he broke his neck in the crash. His young passenger escaped with bruises and scratches.

Mackay also pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing two bottles of bourbon worth a combined $116.40 from the Grand Hotel in Akaroa.

Duty lawyer Doug Taffs told the court Mackay had taken positive steps to address his alcohol issues since the crash.

Judge Walsh convicted him on all charges and remanded him for sentencing until February 16.

Mackay had a range of previous convictions including dishonesty, cannabis and wilful damage, he said.

"Were it not for your visible state and injury I would be remanding you in custody.

"Another factor is to hear the forensic nurse has said you have sought out help for your underlying alcohol problem. You would not get that help in prison. You need to face up to the demon in your life before sentencing."

The judge said the victims were in a terrible way. They were lucky to be alive and would be affected for the rest of their lives.

He remanded Mackay on bail with conditions that he was forbidden to drive, forbidden to consume alcohol or drugs, and not enter licensed premises.

- Westport News