Alleged drink driver accused of fleeing scene after crashing into Mustang

Natalie Joy Felding (left) leaves court on Tuesday with her lawyer, Priyanka Koci of Hugo Law Group. Photo: Albert McKnight.

A woman is accused of being severely affected by alcohol when she allegedly crashed her car into a Ford Mustang then tried to walk away from the scene.

Natalie Joy Felding, 43, allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.194 – almost four times over the legal limit – after the incident last Monday night (27 June).

ACT Policing said a Taylor resident saw a Holden Commodore had pulled into his driveway at about 9 pm that night and when he went outside, its driver said she was having car problems and would be calling someone for assistance.

She later allegedly told the resident she had been drinking and he urged her not to drive, but she drove away about 40 minutes later. The man called police, who began patrolling the suburb.

At about 10 pm, they found a Mustang with damage to its front wheel and fender. They followed skid marks from the car to a Commodore about 250 metres away, which had damage to its front passenger side.

Police saw Ms Felding walking towards the registered address of the Commodore’s owner at about 11 pm. They allege she refused to answer questions about the location of her vehicle.

After being cautioned and arrested, police found she was carrying keys matching the Commodore.

Ms Felding from Taylor appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (28 June). She was formally charged with level four drink driving, not giving her particulars after a crash and damaging property.

Bail was not opposed and Magistrate Louise Taylor granted it with conditions that included she not drive.

Ms Felding did not enter pleas and her matter will be back in court on 18 July.

She has been given an immediate suspension notice, suspending her driving licence for 90 days.