Drunk mom who killed her friend by backing over her learns her fate
- Mother gets five years for running over girlfriend in horrific accident
- Tamara Louise Lorimer turned while drunk
- The pair were drinking heavily at their home near Broome in 2021
A drunk mother who hit her friend in a bizarre drunk driving tragedy has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Tamara Louise Lorimer was found guilty of manslaughter this week by the Supreme Court in Broome, Western Australia.
She was backing down the driveway of the couple’s Cable Beach home in November 2021 when she punched her friend Doreen-Joan Lindsay.
Broome Magistrates Court heard Lorimer got behind the wheel with three others after being called to go help a friend.
But as she backed out of the driveway, Mrs. Lindsay walked into the car’s path.
Tamara Louise Lorimer (pictured, right) was backing down the driveway of the couple’s Cable Beach home in November 2021 when she hit her friend Doreen-Joan Lindsay (pictured, left)
Police and ambulance were on the scene but were unable to save Mrs Lindsay (pictured) who suffered insurmountable injuries
The couple (pictured) had been drinking heavily at home before the horror incident
Police and ambulance arrived at the scene, but were unable to save the 35-year-old man, who was fatally injured. She died later on Broome Hospital.
The couple had been drinking heavily at home before the horror incident.
Prosecutor Michael Cvetkoski said the state would make the argument that Lorimer was criminally negligent, as she “appeared impaired by alcohol” when police showed up. ABC reported.
The lesbian mother had reversed ‘at high speed’ and didn’t look to see if it was clear – despite knowing her partner was drunk.
Mr Cvetkoski said hospital tests showed Lorimer’s blood alcohol level to be around 0.121 per cent.
But defense attorney Seamus Rafferty said she was not criminally responsible because the driveway was shaped in an unusual way with a blind spot.
No amount of due diligence would have allowed Lorimer to see her friend walking behind the car, the court heard.
“A beloved, highly respected young woman lost her life … a young, respected woman also lost her partner,” Mr Rafferty told the court.
No amount of due diligence would have allowed Lorimer (pictured) to see her friend walking behind the car
Mrs Lindsay later died in Broome hospital (pictured) from her injuries
Chief Justice Peter Quinlan said the incident was a “wasteful tragedy,” adding that there were “no winners” in this case.
“It only takes a second to take someone else’s life,” Chief Justice Quinlan said.
“Any punishment in court would not value someone’s life.”
Lorimer was sentenced to five years in prison and will be eligible for parole on June 23, 2026.
Family and friends from both sides were at the courthouse to hear the verdict.
“A beloved, highly respected young woman lost her life … a young, respected woman also lost her partner,” attorney Seamus Rafferty told the court (pictured, the couple)