Man jailed for drink-driving crash that killed his wife
A Gold Coast grandmother was killed in a horror crash while her husband was more than four times over the alcohol limit.
Grandmother and retired teacher Lana Hufnagl was killed in car accident 18 months ago at Tallai, about 20 kilometres south west of the Gold Coast.
Her husband Peter Dowker was driving at more than four times the legal limit when he crashed into a tree down the road from the local golf club after a long lunch.
On Wednesday he was jailed for seven years.
The court heard the couple booked a taxi from the golf club to go home, but Mr Dowker then told the driver to go back.
The taxi driver said Mr Dowker was too drunk to drive, but complied with the request.
Mr Dowker then got into his car and drove with a blood alcohol reading of 0.213.
The court heard Mr Dowker’s car had reached a speed of 139 kilometres per hour just seconds before the crash.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
He will be eligible for parole after just 22 months.
“Don’t drink and drive. The impact is enormous,” Ms Hufnagl’s sister Donna Harris said.
Ms Hufnagl left behind two adult daughters and twin grandsons.
