A CENTRAL Coast grandmother who ran a red light at Jewells while she was under the influence of cannabis and prescription drugs and using her mobile phone and caused a crash that seriously injured a 73-year-old woman has been jailed for at least 12 months in Newcastle District Court.
Vanessa Gail Opdam, now 61, from Chain Valley Bay, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm after the crash at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Ntaba Road on March 25 last year. The light had been red for about five seconds when Opdam, holding her mobile phone, drove into the intersection and crashed into 74-year-old Lorna Watson's car, the impact causing her to suffer injuries that will require care for the rest of her life.
Judge Penny Hock said there was no alternative to full-time custody and jailed Opdam for a maximum of two years and three months, with a non-parole period of 12 months.
She will be eligible for parole in July next year. Opdam was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
