Woman filmed drinking a bottle of wine while behind the wheel of a car moments after another driver saw her cause a three-car crash is charged with being FIVE times over the limit
- Woman, 49, blew a staggering 0.276 when tested by police on the Gold Coast
- Allegedly caused three-car smash, then filmed drinking an entire bottle of wine
- Michelle Rice appeared in Southport Magistrate’s Court for a mention
- Told the magistrate she’d seek legal advice, matter was adjourned to March 29
A woman filmed drinking a bottle of wine while behind the wheel of a car has been charged with high range drink driving.
Michelle Rice, 49, allegedly recorded a blood alcohol reading five and a half times over the legal limit, when she was pulled over on told Gold Coast.
Queensland Police alleged she blew 0.276 when she was caught some time after 4pm at a Southport service station in Bundall, a few kilometers from Surfers Paradise on February 16.
Her license was immediately suspended and she has now been charged with drinking driving.
Police allege that between 4.20pm and 4.55pm, Rice was involved in a three car smash before her car crossed the median strip, hitting another vehicle.
Locals performed a citizens arrest on the woman at the petrol station because of her alleged erratic driving.
Witness Sam Mangan said the situation could easily have been catastrophic for other motorists or passengers.
‘She actually pulled out a full bottle of wine, sat back (in the car) and drank the entire bottle in one go,’ he told 9News Gold Coast.
‘It was unbelievable.’
Sam Mangan (pictured above) filmed the woman and ‘couldn’t believe’ what he was seeing
Mr Mangan caught the incident on camera
Mr Mangan then cautiously followed the woman in his car, watching on with disbelief as she ran into numerous road barricades before zig zagging all over the road.
‘I called police and then she caused a three-car pile up,’ he said.
Scott Knowles, from Queensland Police, was ‘thankful’ his fellow officers were able to quickly attend the scene.
He added it was fortunate police intercepted the woman before ‘something more serious occurred.’
Rice appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday where her case was mentioned after she was charged with one count of high range drink driving.
She told Magistrate Gary Finger she would seek legal advice about the charge and the matter was adjourned until March 29, the Courier Mail reported.
The woman (pictured above) will face court again in March after she was charged with high range drink driving