04-08-2025
Driver who consumed entire cask of wine before crashing into police car handed suspended sentence
A South Australian woman who drank an entire cask of wine before driving through a stop sign and into a police car has been handed a suspended sentence.
Janell Marjorie Rogerson, 50, who was seriously injured in the October 24, 2023 incident, was sentenced in South Australia's District Court on Monday after previously pleading guilty to three aggravated counts of causing serious harm by dangerous driving.
The court heard two police officers were injured in the crash — as well as Rogerson and a passenger in her car.
One of the injured police officers — who found Rogerson seriously hurt, unresponsive and slumped over the wheel — then saved the life of the Strathalbyn mother-of-five.
In sentencing, District Court Judge Anne Barnett said Rogerson was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.195, as well as cannabinoids in her system.
"You were interviewed by police on 7 November, 2023 and advised that you had no recollection of the collision or leaving your house.
"You told police you probably had a few drinks because you were worried about your son's operation the next day, that you began drinking after you picked your son up from school and that you were drinking white wine.
"And that you had a few too many and you can't remember anything."
Judge Barnett said Rogerson, whose licence was expired at the time of the collision, spent six weeks in hospital and "suffered significant injuries" including a brain bleed.
She also said her passenger, who refused to answer police questions, suffered several injuries including multiple rib fractures.
"[One of the police officers]… was treated for minor burns to his forearm from the airbag deployment," Judge Barnett said.
Judge Barnett said she took Rogerson's personal circumstances into account when determining an appropriate sentence, specifically her traumatic upbringing, and the need to care for her son.
She sentenced the 50-year-old to three years, one month and nine days imprisonment with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months.
However, Judge Barnett suspended the term of imprisonment upon Rogerson entering a two-year good behaviour bond.
She has also been disqualified from driving for four years.
