A judge has sent a stern message to drink drivers, sending a Christchurch woman to jail for two and a half years.
The driver seriously injured a pedestrian while four times the legal limit.
It's her fourth conviction for driving while drunk.
Recidivist drink driver Sarah Jane Arrow was on a zero-alcohol licence when she got behind the wheel of her car after drinking wine.
The 45-year-old failed to take a bend on a stretch of road in Redcliffs in March. She collided with a barrier arm that sent a pedestrian flying two metres onto rocks below. She had a breath-alcohol reading of more than 1000 micrograms.
Her victim, Ben Appleton, arrived at today's sentencing supported by family and friends inside. The court heard he'd sustained significant injuries in the accident, including two broken legs and a fractured skull and spine.
Judge Stephen O'Driscoll told Arrow she should have never been behind the wheel that day and that her offending had devastated her victim's life.
He then sentenced her to two and half years in prison and banned her from driving for the rest of her life.
Outside court, Appleton's family and friends hugged at the outcome, but a family member alluded to just how hard the past six months had been.
"We're happy with the result, but there are no winners here."
Arrow was also ordered to pay $2500 in reparation to Appleton.
Newshub.
