SA: 83-year-old woman killed on way to church

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2008
SA: 83-year-old woman killed on way to church

ADELAIDE, Aug 24 AAP - An 83-year-old Adelaide woman was killed by an alcohol-affected
driver on her way to church today, police say.

The woman was struck as she crossed suburban Portrush Road just metres from her Payneham
home this morning.

Police allege the driver had a blood alcohol reading nearly four times the legal limit.

He immediately lost his licence for a year and was refused police bail.

The 36-year-old Payneham man was arrested and charged with causing the woman's death
by negligent driving and drink driving.

He remains in police custody and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Superintendent Mark Fairney, officer in charge of the traffic support branch, said
the death took the state's road toll so far this year to 56, compared to 75 for the same
time last year.

"This is not only an absolute tragedy for the woman's family and close friends, I am
disgusted that another human being took it upon himself to get behind the wheel having
consumed a large amount of alcohol and then driven at high speed, killing this woman,"

he said in a statement.

"Again, I wonder how some people justify in their own minds that drink driving is OK.

It is not OK."

The Major Crash Investigation Unit is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the
crash or saw a white Ford Fairlane travelling south on Portrush road about 8am to contact
BankSA Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP njl/jpm/mn

KEYWORD: TOLL SA NIGHTLEAD

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