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28-01-2008, 11:25am
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 
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
never fly higher than your angel.
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