Woman blew 'four times limit'

File photo / NZ Herald

A 36-year-old Havelock North woman who allegedly blew one of the highest breath-alcohol readings in the country made her first appearance in court yesterday.

Holly Alene Harbour, a US national, was charged with excess breath alcohol and other driving charges after an alleged midday collision with another vehicle on October 7.

Police claim Harbour crossed the centreline in Te Aute Rd after failing to take a bend, and then collided with a westbound vehicle about 12.14pm.

Officers alleged she continued on her way toward Havelock North yet was later stopped and returned a breath-alcohol reading of 1882mcg. The legal adult limit is 400mcg.

In the Hastings District Court yesterday Harbour entered no plea to charges of excess breath alcohol, careless driving and failing to stop to ascertain injury.

She will appear in court again next month.

A Napier woman is believed to be the holder of the highest breath-alcohol record, with a level of 2111mcg returned in the early 90s.

Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research's former consultant, Ross Gainsford, who collated breath-alcohol testing records for 22 years before retiring last year, said the alleged Napier reading was the highest he'd seen. "I haven't seen one that's beaten that ... though I have heard of people who have blown over 3000mcg and miraculously still lived."