Danika Rae Dunne avoids jail after hitting motorbike rider in Pinjarra in WA

A young mother with “appalling” drunk driving was spared jail time after she got behind the wheel while drunk and crashed into a motorcyclist.

Danika Rae Dunne, 27, was driving a blue Holden Commodore along Murray Street in Pinjarra, Western Australia, when she failed to stop at a give way sign before meeting the driver on May 25, 2022.

The rider was thrown off his bike and suffered a serious spinal injury and fractures to his knees, hands and feet, The West Australian reported.

Dunne was charged with two felonies, including careless driving causing bodily harm.

She stood before Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday and received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the charges.

Young mother Danika Rae Dunne (pictured), 27, was driving her Holden Commodore down Murray Street in Pinjarra, Western Australia, when she ran over a motorcyclist after failing to stop at a right of way sign

Dunne was given a breath test by police at the crash site and had a blood alcohol count of 0.082. The legal limit in Australia is 0.05.

She also had an invalid driver’s license at the time of the accident.

Her victim was transported to the Royal Perth Hospital after the beating.

Dunne’s attorney, Claire Hay, said the collision was the “wake-up call” the young woman needed to “put her life in order and prioritize her health and baby daughter.”

“She has been on alcohol and drug distraction programs and is currently seeing a psychologist, which she would like to continue,” she added.

Ms Hay told the court that following a car accident at a young age, Dunne was diagnosed with frontal lobe syndrome, which affects a person’s decision-making, personality, emotions and judgement.

Dunne, who was a disqualified driver at the time, was given a breath test by police at the scene of the accident and had a blood alcohol count of 0.082. Her victim suffered a serious spinal injury and fractures to her knees, hands and feet

Judge Leanne Atkins said the young woman had a “appalling history” of drunk driving. Dunne received a suspended sentence and was banned from driving for another 15 months

Judge Leanne Atkins acknowledged that Dunne had a “appalling history” of drunk driving, but ruled that Dunne would only receive a suspended sentence.

In addition, her driver’s license was revoked for another 15 months.

“This poor man has spinal injuries and multiple fractures because you didn’t drive with the care and attention you should have,” Ms Atkins said.

“The nature of the injuries means the incarceration is open and appropriate, but as I hear more about your background and steps in the right direction, I won’t go into that today.”