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Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - Mutha - 28-01-2008
A callous drunk driver who hit a female motorcyclist in a high-speed crash in Brisbane two years ago berated a witness for calling an ambulance because it was "over the top", a court has heard.
Mother-of-two Dale Vera Merlo, 34, had an estimated blood alcohol concentration of 0.224 - more than four times the legal limit - when she struck 29-year-old rider Kathy Grigg while driving on the wrong side of the Kenmore Road, near Fig Tree Pocket, on July 16, 2006.
The collision flung Ms Grigg into the air and across the bitumen, breaking both her arms and a kneecap, but it failed to stop Merlo, who drove over the top of Ms Grigg's Yamaha bike and continued for 200 metres down the road before a male witness managed to approach her.
Brisbane's District Court today heard Merlo tried to restart the damaged car - borrowed from a friend - and had attempted to drive away six times as the man helped push the vehicle off the road.
When he told her he had called an ambulance, Merlo responded: "That's a bit over the top. I didn't even hit you.".
She eventually fled to her friend's house nearby, telling her: "I think I broke your car."
Merlo this morning pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while intoxicated.
Prosecutors told the court that when police arrived to speak to her two hours after the crash, Merlo became aggressive.
"What the f*** do you want?" she said after answering the door.
When the officers informed her she had been identified as being involved in an accident in which a woman was hurt, Merlo said: "So what? Investigate without me, c***heads."
The court heard Merlo had drunk two bottles of wine with a friend and had been on her way to pick up her boyfriend from the Gold Coast when she turned a corner at double the recommended speed limit, veering into Ms Griggs' path.
She later claimed she had no memory of the incident.
Merlo's defence barrister, Adrian Gundelach, could offer no explanation for his client's actions, simply telling the court she had an alcohol abuse problem but had sought help.
Judge Kerry O'Brien gave Merlo credit for her efforts to dry out, but said jail was inevitable given the seriousness of her crime.
"Your conduct is aggravated by your failure to remain at the scene," Judge O'Brien said.
"You obviously had a serious alcohol abuse problem at the time and your subsequent conduct showed little by the way of sympathy for the motorcyclist."
He sentenced Merlo to a total of three years' jail, but ordered that she be eligible for parole in 10 months' time.
There just too soft these days
Burn the witch on the stake 
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - LOAFIE - 28-01-2008
Mutha Wrote:There just too soft these days
+1 , thats just crazy.
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - 1hotbusa - 28-01-2008
If you do the crime, don't worry about the time.....it will be minimal.
As well as her full sentence, she should have to replace the motorcycle, pay all medical expenses and all other expenses ie. lost wages, etc.
Only when the punishment is greater than the crime will justice be finally served.
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - black13 - 28-01-2008
Mutha Wrote:He sentenced Merlo to a total of three years' jail, but ordered that she be eligible for parole in 10 months' time.
There just too soft these days
10mnths, the courts in this country are piss weak , they mollycoddle these ares holes to much,
infamous case in sa where a driver killed a bike cyclist, the driver was drunk, hit run, he was fined $3100 & license suspended for 12 months the driver was 1 of the top criminal defence lawyers in sa. which includes defendind drink drivers,this arsehole new how to get around it http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sa/content/2005/s1347622.htm
being drunk should not be a defence against the perpatrator, unfortunatley lawyers are paid too much to make evil look good & good look evil
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - ROD - 28-01-2008
Not just in Australia a man in spain hit a push bike at 160kmh in a 100 zone killing the rider but now is taking the perants to court for damage to his car
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - Mutha - 28-01-2008
BUSA-RO Wrote:Not just in Australia a man in spain hit a push bike at 160kmh in a 100 zone killing the rider but now is taking the perants to court for damage to his car
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - 2CUTE4U - 28-01-2008
LOAFIE Wrote:Mutha Wrote:There just too soft these days
+1 , thats just crazy.
+1 again ! ! !
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - 2CUTE4U - 28-01-2008
Mutha Wrote:BUSA-RO Wrote:Not just in Australia a man in spain hit a push bike at 160kmh in a 100 zone killing the rider but now is taking the perants to court for damage to his car
As if they would allow that in court
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - Louwai - 28-01-2008
2CUTE4U Wrote:As if they would allow that in court
On the Gold Coast about 10yrs or so ago, & drunk guy stumbled out of a club door & onto the road straight in front of a car.
The car, driven by an elderly lady, obviously couldn't avoid hitting him.
The guy didn't die but was in hospital for a while. As soon as he was able, he sued the woman for dangerous driving & damage to himself from being hit by her.
The case went to court about 3yrs after the actual accident.
It was one of those loop-holes where the law was actually on the drunk guy's side.
As it turned out, there was so much public outcry the judge ended up throwing it out.
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - NEMESIS - 29-01-2008
"Only when the punishment is greater than the crime will justice be finally served"
Too good of a line graham..
Too good
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - Ozboc - 30-01-2008
1hotbusa Wrote:If you do the crime, don't worry about the time.....it will be minimal.
well this is true when it comes to injuring or killing somebody - even if intoxicated with alcohol or drugs , but do a little white collar crime or some tax evasion and you would wish you had been a serial killer with a much lighter sentence ...
Boc
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - Mutha - 30-01-2008
There was a 73 year old motorcyclist killed this morning on the Monash freeway,
he was ran over buy a truck and trailer. I have a courier mate who ie 73 year old motorcycle rider/ex motorcycle cop. I hope it wasn't him.
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - 1300hayabusa - 31-01-2008
LOAFIE Wrote:Mutha Wrote:There just too soft these days
+1 , thats just crazy.
One syringe
100ml of battery acid
1 chair
duct tape
room temp at 38 degrees
3 strategic places on the body
(finger/toe nails,eyelids)
and punishment/justice is served on this unremorseful cow.
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - NEMESIS - 31-01-2008
1300hayabusa Wrote:LOAFIE Wrote:Mutha Wrote:There just too soft these days
+1 , thats just crazy.
One syringe
100ml of battery acid
1 chair
duct tape
room temp at 38 degrees
3 strategic places on the body
(finger/toe nails,eyelids)
and punishment/justice is served on this unremorseful cow.
ouch?
RE: Driver who 'didn't know she hit a motorcyclist' jailed - mechanx - 31-01-2008
bring back the death penalty? gas the bitch ?