Drink-driver didn't notice she'd broken KFC window

A drink-driver who backed into a KFC window in Invercargill was oblivious to what she had done until her 9-year-old son told her.

Kelly Anne Russell (42) admitted driving with a blood-alcohol level of 89mg when she appeared before Community Magistrate Sally O’Brien in the Invercargill District Court on Thursday.

The legal limit is 50mg.

The summary of facts said police received a call from KFC in Elles Rd on March 16 saying someone had driven into a storefront window, causing it to crack, then left the scene.

It was while Russell reversed out of her park that she hit and damaged the window with the car’s bumper.

"The defendant proceeded approximately 18.8km home ... unaware she had damaged the window until informed by her 9-year-old son who was a passenger in the vehicle."

Russell, who represented herself in court, said she took full responsibility for her actions.

"I just lost my husband in January last year and being a solo mum I wasn’t thinking straight."

Ms O’Brien fined Russell $400 and disqualified her from driving for six months.