Taxpayers are also likely to foot the bill to remove her car, which sits in Parks Victoria land.

The Myrtleford woman, 53, was driving on Gorge Road about 2.45pm when her Holden Commodore left the road and plunged 100 metres down a ravine.

The woman and her male passenger, 39, were both uninjured, and the woman was charged with drink driving after returning a 0.178 blood alcohol reading.

Beechworth police interviewed the woman over possible reckless conduct endangering life charges on Tuesday.

“The police will submit a brief of evidence for consideration,” Sgt Geoff Still said.

“She has been interviewed but she hasn’t been charged (with reckless conduct endangering life).

“She may receive a summons for that at a later date.”

The Commodore remains in the gorge, and taxpayers are likely to pay to remove the vehicle.

Parks Victoria owns the land and will need heavy machinery to pull the car out.

“Parks Victoria will be working with police and local SES in the recovery of the car,” a spokesman said.

“As the car is 100 metres from the road in the gorge, heavy haulage will be needed to recover it.

“Recovery will happen as soon as possible.”

Sgt Still said on Monday the duo had narrowly escaped injury in the incident

“We are lucky we are not investigating a double fatality,” he said.

“It is certainly a very high reading and it is disturbing people are consuming that amount of alcohol and driving.”