Kristie Merrett, a chronic drinker who killed a nine-year-old kid by speeding and exceeding the speed limit four times, was imprisoned for more than five years.
Merrett, 52, struck a woman driving a car with her son in the rear when she was driving almost 30 km/h over the speed limit, according to Gosford District Court Judge Justin Smith. Merrett’s blood alcohol content was over 0.20.
Following the mishap, Merrett enquired, “Where am I? What has taken place? I really, really need a drink.”
She then told police that the second automobile had appeared out of nowhere and that she was shocked to be above the legal limit considering she had only had a few drinks the previous evening following her breakup with her violent spouse.
It turned out that Merrett had consumed a bottle of vodka the night before.
The boy’s terrible death, according to Judge Smith, brought attention to the risks associated with drunk driving and speeding. As a result, he felt that Merrett ought to be held accountable for her actions and try to discourage other members of the community from taking similar risks.
“These comments are directed at anyone who thinks it is okay to speed on our roads or to otherwise disobey the road rules,” Judge Smith stated on Friday.
Take a peek at this lady. Consider the years of incarceration that will follow while you consider her victims and their families.
“None of you think this will ever be you but nor did this woman.”
Merrett, of Bellingen, entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated hazardous driving resulting in death, causing grievous bodily harm by misconduct, and possessing cannabis. He was sentenced to five years and five months in prison, with a minimum of three years and six months.
The court was informed that she had been clean for around a month when she had relapsed following her disagreement with her 12-year partner.
When she made the decision to drive to meet her mother on January 3, 2023, she “started to feel darker and darker” in the car.
Merrett checked into a motel, bought a bottle of vodka, drank it all, and went completely dark.
She said she felt fine when she woke up the following morning and then got behind the wheel.
At around 12:45 p.m., Merrett sped through a give way sign at an intersection in Killarney Vale and collided with a Toyota Camry, according to Judge Smith. Merrett was travelling at 78 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
After buying her kid new school shoes, the driver and her son were en route home from the stores.
The youngster was stuck in the debris after being in a booster seat on the back, left passenger side, which received the brunt of the crash.
The boy suffered a catastrophic brain injury and died three days later, while his mother received treatment at John Hunter Hospital for a shattered spine.
After attempting to flee the hospital with only minor injuries, Merrett was detained by law enforcement.
She screamed, “I just want to die, I have nothing left,” and then begged a policeman, “Please take out your gun and shoot me now.”
According to a psychological study, Merrett’s terrible background had a lasting effect on her and was the root cause of her alcohol addiction, according to Judge Smith.
According to the study, Merrett had been suffering from major depressive illness, anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder since her early teens.
