Home

Mayor crashes into tree after ‘several glasses of wine’

Owen LeonardNCA NewsWire
Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams was taken to hospital with minor injuries following a drink-driving incident. Photo: Elyse Heyn
Camera IconRedland City Council mayor Karen Williams was taken to hospital with minor injuries following a drink-driving incident. Photo: Elyse Heyn Credit: Quest Newspapers

A Queensland mayor who was hospitalised after crashing her car has admitted to driving after drinking “several glasses of wine”.

Redlands City Council Mayor Karen Williams was taken to hospital with minor injuries on Thursday night, with Queensland Police saying a station wagon “left the road and struck a tree” in Cleveland about 9pm.

Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams was taken to hospital with minor injuries following a drink-driving incident. Photo: Elyse Heyn
Camera IconRedland City Council mayor Karen Williams was taken to hospital with minor injuries following a drink-driving incident. Photo: Elyse Heyn Credit: Quest Newspapers

The crash came after the council announced its 2022/23 budget earlier in the day.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Ms Williams told the ABC she was thankful no-one else was injured in the drink-driving incident.

“I am deeply sorry for my actions and am incredibly thankful no-one else was involved or injured,” Ms Williams said.

QLD_RCN_KARENWILLIAMS_WK39
Camera IconMs Williams will be seeking counselling after the “error in judgement”. AAP Image/Richard Walker Credit: News Corp Australia

“I will be seeking counselling and will continue to assist police in their inquiries.”

Ms Williams said she “made a serious error in judgment” deciding to get behind the wheel after multiple glasses of wine.

The 55-year-old was first elected as a councillor in 2004 and became mayor in 2012.

Originally published as Mayor crashes into tree after ‘several glasses of wine’

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails