Kayarna Pepper sentenced for high-range drink driving on Jewry Street, Tamworth

Tamworth Local Court heard Kayarna Pepper had gone to Tamworth hospital 10 days before she crossed onto the wrong side of Jewry Street on a Friday afternoon while almost four times the legal blood alcohol limit.

"But, she was discharged before the drug and alcohol team could see her," defence solicitor Harry Pendlebury said.

"I suggest the health system may have let her down on that occasion."

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Pepper was driving a silver Mitsubishi SUV east along Jewry Street at about 60km per hour when she collided with the front of an oncoming white Holden Commodore ute about 3.30pm on February 3.

She came to rest on the grass verge on the opposite side of the road, court documents show.

The 37-year-old was treated at the scene, before being taken to hospital.

Mr Pendlebury handed up a letter of apology from Pepper, as well as character references.

Magistrate Julie Soars said it was "remarkable" that Pepper had nothing on her traffic or criminal records, and there was no question the offending was an "error of judgement".

"She tried to get help," Ms Soars said.

She said while a blood alcohol reading of 0.194 was "quite high", Pepper had "good prospects of rehabilitation".

"It's a miracle no-one else was involved really, given the time of day," Ms Soars said.

She sentenced Pepper to a 12-month good behaviour order, with the added condition that she continued to seek alcohol help, and disqualified her licence for six months.

She must have a mandatory interlock for two years.

"Having a licence is a privilege, not a right," Ms Soars said.

"I hope you're now able to get the help you need."

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