Family call for changes to drink drive checks

Published: 6:37PM Monday March 22, 2010 Source: ONE News

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The family of a woman killed by a driver allegedly fleeing a drink drive checkpoint says procedures need to change.

Penelope Philips' family say people simply should not be given the opportunity to escape.

Neil Jorgensen shared a love of monster trucks with his partner and one will now carry her coffin decorated with messages from her five children and 11 grandchildren.

"We have our ups and downs and at the moment there's probably more downs than ups," says Jorgensen.

Sadly the 52-year-old monster truck driver lost her life driving home on Friday night when a car driven by a 20-year-old women collided with her after allegedly fleeing a police checkpoint after initially failing a breath test.

Philips' family now want police to change checkpoint procedures.

"If a person fails an evidential breath test well their keys should be removed, the same as a boy racer has their keys removed when they're pulled up for the boy racers' act," says son Brad Philips.

Local police officers say they have to make a judgement call and there can be no one response at checkpoints.

Meanwhile, they say it could be some time before they decide whether to lay charges .

"We've had to engage the services of a number of experts, we've now completed the scene examination, we're speaking to witnesses, then we'll be getting a legal opinion as to what charges should be laid," says Tasman District Commander Gary Knowles.

The 20-year-old's father is a legal executive at the same law firm Phillips' family employs. He says his daughter is remorseful and admits she made a mistake but he says she is not a criminal.

The family now plan to use the truck to raise money for charity once Phillips has her last trip in it.

Her funeral's planned for Thursday.

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