Telisa Diane Reynolds fined for blowing over limit, driving away from police then crashing in Mt Barker

An Albany woman drove away from police after blowing over the limit then crashed into a light pole and fled the scene, leaving her shaken passenger to face officers. Telisa Diane Reynolds, 22, fronted Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday where she pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a requirement made by police, dangerous driving, speeding, and failing to stop as the driver in an incident in which property was damaged. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Mike Russell said Reynolds was driving south on Albany Highway in Mt Barker about 9.15pm on April 15 when she was stopped by police because she was seen travelling at 121km/h in a 110km/h zone. Reynolds was breath-tested and returned a reading of 0.219 before she “accelerated at speed away from police”, Sgt Russell said. Police activated their lights and sirens to get her to stop. She lost control of the vehicle near Mount Barker Community College, veering into an embankment and crashing into a light pole and sign near the Woogenellup Road and Muir Highway roundabout. Reynolds and the passenger ran from the car, however, the “very shaken” passenger returned to speak with police, Sgt Russell said. Representing herself in court, Reynolds said she was not in the “best mental health state” at the time of the incident and she did not remember the crash or “running away”. “I am not one to drink alcohol ... and that weekend I drank way past my limit,” she said. She was fined $3450 and ordered to pay $2556.95 in compensation for the damage. Her licence was disqualified for 15 months.