Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has said she will not resign after admitting to colliding with her car after “several glasses of wine” Thursday night.
Mrs. Williams’ car veered off the road and crashed into a tree in Cleveland, east of Brisbane, around 9 p.m., hours after the Redlands budget had been officially dictated.
The car veered off the road and collided with a tree at this intersection. (ABC News: Laura Lavelle)
Ms Williams said she “deeply” regretted her actions, but intended to remain in the role she had held for 10 years.
“One hasty decision should not follow another,” he said.
“Everyone makes mistakes. I sincerely apologize for these actions and I will continue to serve my community and reflect on what is needed to make this community a better and safer place.”
Mrs Williams said she did not remember how many drinks she had drunk.
“I don’t really know how many drinks I drank. I drank several drinks for several hours,” he said.
Ms. Williams has recently played a prominent role in the toughest juvenile justice lawsuits in Queensland.
Mrs Williams was the main petitioner for an online petition calling for a longer sentence for an 18-year-old man convicted of manslaughter for the deaths of Matthew Field and Kate Leadbetter in 2021.
The then-17-year-old was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he hit Mr Field and Mrs Leadbetter with a four-wheel drive stolen at speeding in Alexandra Hills.
The teen was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but the judge ordered their release after six years.
Mrs Williams has been a vocal part of the campaign launched by the Leadbetter and Field families, along with state opposition leader David Crisafulli.
Crisafulli only made general comments when asked about the situation, but said “driving under the influence of alcohol is not activated.”
“No matter who you are or what your circumstances are, you should never get behind the wheel after drinking,” he said.
Mrs. Williams said she had spoken with the Leadbetter and Field families.
“I will continue to offer any support you may require and [ensure] that the Juvenile Justice Act be amended so that offenders cannot reoffend, ”he said.
“Everyone makes mistakes; I intend to learn for myself.
“I also intend to make sure there is a message for repeat offenders.”
No charges have been filed for the incident.
A deputy calls for an investigation
Capalaba State MP Don Brown said he was “completely shocked and dismayed” when he heard the news.
She said Ms Williams was “a complete hypocrite.”
“I couldn’t believe that someone of his height and what has campaigned has done exactly what he has campaigned for,” he said.
Don Brown calls for an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. (ABC News: Laura Lavelle)
Brown represents the community where Mr. Field and Mrs. Leadbetter died last year and said he had spoken to families today.
He said families were “angry” at Ms. Williams ’actions.
He said there is only one course of action for Mrs. Williams.
“Resign, you can’t run this city and then endanger the people you represent,” he said.
“He doesn’t even know how many drinks he took, and then he consciously got into a car and drove it.
“This is, in my opinion, the time to resign.”
Brown called for an investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident and urged other Redland councilors to speak publicly.
“They have to shout behavior. If you shut up about it and think it’s going to go away, it’s not,” he said.
“There are a lot of questions.”
Posted 53 minutes ago 53 minutes ago Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 7:55 AM, updated 52 minutes ago, 52 minutes ago, Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 7:55 AM