Martin De Ruyter/Stuff
Traffic was stalled as Christie-Lee Nash headed south on State Highway 6. (File photo)
A driver who drank tequila and beer before plunging from behind told a judge she was unaware she was over the limit.
At Nelson District Court on Monday, Christie-Lee Nash, 48, pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving and drunk driving, third or subsequent offence.
The police summary of facts said at 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 18 last year that Nash was driving south on State Highway 6 toward Richmond.
Traffic was stalled and stopped at the roundabout.
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Not noticing that traffic had stopped in front of her, Nash went into the vehicle in front of her at 12 mph.
A breath test showed 1376 micrograms of alcohol per liter of breath, more than five times the legal alcohol limit of 250 mcg.
Nash told police she was returning home after drinking beer and tequila at a local hotel. While talking to her passenger, she said the cars had stopped in front of her.
Defense attorney Rob Ord acknowledged Nash’s “poor judgment and way too much alcohol.” Although she had three previous convictions for drunk driving, the most recent was in the 1990s, Ord said.
Judge Tony Zohrab said that given the “incredibly high” alcohol content in Nash’s system, it was lucky no one was injured.
Zohrab referred to Nash’s apology letter, saying she was unaware she was too drunk to drive.
“Your letter worries me that you didn’t think you were over the limit.”
Nash was convicted of her charges and sentenced to nine months of supervision and 100 hours of community service.
Zohrab disqualified Nash for 15 months from driving. Upon completion of her disqualification, she would be subject to a three-year alcohol-free license.