Fatal crash driver 'too busy chatting up passenger'

Sean Fewster, Court Reporter , From: AdelaideNow , May 06, 2010 12:53PM

A DRUNK and drugged driver was more interested in "chatting up" a backseat passenger - and asking to see her breasts - than in watching the road minutes before a head-on crash, a court has heard.

Matthew Scott Shepperd was therefore unable to avoid another drunken driver, resulting in a collision that killed his cousin Bettina Appelt.

Today, prosecutor Kos Lesses told the District Court it was not the first time Shepperd had put the community at risk - nor the last.

"He has a prior conviction for driving with excess blood alcohol of .147, just under three times the legal limit," he said.

"Subsequent to this crash, he accelerated through a crowded car park with a reading of .194, almost four times the legal limit.

"This man, frankly, has problems with alcohol and driving, which we say is sufficient basis for an immediate jail term."

Shepperd, 27, of Sheidow Park, pleaded guilty to one count of driving in a manner dangerous to the public.

In November 2007 he was driving himself, Ms Appelt, her partner Rachal Shepard and another woman down Wheatland Rd, Seacliff.

His car was hit head-on by a vehicle driven by Mark Lewis David Henson, whose blood alcohol level was five times over the limit.

Henson was last year jailed for a minimum 27 months, and disqualified from driving for 15 years, for causing Ms Appelt's death.

Today, Mr Lesses said the group had been drinking and smoking cannabis prior to the crash.
"Shepperd was very drunk, his words were slurred, his eyes were glassy, he staggered and was falling down," he said.

"Witnesses said he was trying to chat up the other woman and `behaving like a bit of a wanker'.

"While driving, he kept turning around to talk to the woman instead of watching the road, saying `show me your tits'."

Grant Algie, for Shepperd, said his client's crime was less serious than those who drive recklessly, aggressively or with "willful" disregard for the law.

"He did not cause this crash or its terrible consequences," he said.
"There was really nothing he could have done."

Judge Julie McIntrye will sentence Shepperd on Monday.

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Comment:
It is so ridiculous that someone risked his and others’ lives by driving in unconsciousness, and even sacrificed his cousin’s life for paying no attention during driving. The news reflects that there are many drunkards who have been punished before still drive with body blood alcohol level exceed the limit. This situation endangers all the drivers on the road, passengers and passerby who are sober. The innocent one may be involved in those unnecessary accidents that actually can be avoided. Advice to all the drivers, drive safely, for yourselves and for the rest.