kingpin007
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'Brilliant' driver on drugs mowed down two teens
Tristan Swanwick
June 12, 2009 03:46pm
A GOLD Coast motorist who was unlicensed and affected by a cocktail of drugs and alcohol when she struck and killed two teenage pedestrians told police her driving had been "brilliant", a court heard.
Tania Winifred Clark, 36, was sentenced to 10 years jail and disqualified from driving for life for the manslaughter of popular Southport High students Jye Strong and Nathan Sprecak, 16 and 15, in February last year.
The teenagers were mowed down on a footpath as they emerged from a corner store on Kumbari Avenue in Labrador.
Jye died instantly and Nathan died three days later in hospital.
The court heard the New Zealand-born woman drove 30 metres along the footpath in attempt to overtake a car on the single-lane road.
Prosecutor Angus Edwards said she had been rushing to make appointments with her parole officer and at centrelink and was worried she would lose her welfare benefits.
Clark was affected by alcohol, cannabis and at least six different prescription drugs at the time of the crash, the court was told.
She later blamed the boys for the tragedy, telling police they had stepped out onto the road in front of her.
Justice Glenn Martin told Clark she had been a “pharmacological nightmare” when she hit the two boys.
“You brought their lives to an end but on the day you blamed them,” he said.
“You say you’re sorry but your actions since then belie that.”
He sentenced her to 10 years jail and declared her a serious violent offender, which means she must serve at least 8 years before she is eligible for parole.
He disqualified her from obtaining or holding a drivers license for life.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25625618-3102,00.html