Drunken crash driver's mission

Penelope Phillips, seen here with her grandson Deklin McKenzie, was killed when a car driven by Frances Carol Stubbs fled a police check point and crashed into her car. Photo / Supplied

A young woman who fled police and crashed into a car, killing a woman, will team with the victim's son to speak to youngsters about the consequences of drink-driving.

Frances Stubbs, 20, was yesterday sentenced to eight months of home detention.

She was also ordered to do 160 hours' community work and disqualified from driving for three and a half years.

Appearing in the Blenheim District Court, she admitted driving with excess blood-alcohol, causing the death of 51-year-old Penelope Phillips in March.

Ms Phillips, a mother-of-five and a grandmother, was driving towards her home when Stubbs' car ploughed into hers, killing her instantly.

Stubbs had been fleeing from a police alcohol checkpoint when she hit Ms Phillips' car.

Stubbs' father, Blenheim lawyer Peter Stubbs, previously said his daughter suffered a "brain explosion" when she was pulled over - having drunk about four vodka energy drinks over two hours on March 19.

Speaking from his home last night, Mr Stubbs said the family were relieved their daughter had been saved from going to prison, but acknowledged that there was still a lot of pain for theirs and Ms Phillips' family.

"We have spoken to the family and met them on several occasions and they were really healing times.

"They expressed their anger and they told us quite brutally how distraught they were.

"[Frances] is definitely going to make some changes in the way she deals with things."

Mr Stubbs said his daughter and one of Ms Phillips' sons - Stuart McKenzie - were looking to team up in a bid to let youngsters know about the dangers and consequences of drink-driving.

"Stuart has been over to our house and expressed that he would be willing to team up with her and go to schools and talk to youngsters about this," Mr Stubbs said.

"They would be a really good combination, talking about the different effects this has had on them. It would be a really good something to come out of this."

Mr Stubbs said Judge Bruce Davidson's comments towards his daughter calling for her to make moves to speak to youth about her experiences - had had a direct impact on her.

She is now looking to get back to work and finishing her studies, as well as completing her community work.

Ms Phillips' partner Neil Jorgensen was not available for comment last night.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA