The dangerous driver whose actions left her former boyfriend with permanent brain and physical injuries will serve six months in jail, then have to live with her guilt for the rest of her life.
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Jenna Dodds was 27 years old in May 2017 when, with her 29-year-old boyfriend in the passenger seat of her Mazda, she put their lives and others in danger on the Hume Freeway near Wangaratta.
While driving in front of a woman in a Ford sedan, she suddenly hit the brakes on two occasions, causing the other woman to veer into the right lane to avoid a collision.
The County Court this week heard the first time this happened, Dodds gave the Ford driver "the bird" as the woman overtook the slower Mazda and returned to the left lane.
Dodds then overtook the Ford driver and again suddenly hit her brakes and on this second occasion, the results were far worse.
When the Ford driver swerved, Dodds also moved into the right lane and the cars collided, sending the Ford spinning onto the grass in the middle of the freeway.
The Mazda veered left off the freeway and collided with a tree.
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Both Dodds and her boyfriend were airlifted to hospital, while the woman in the other car suffered only minor injuries.
The man was in a coma and needed a brain operation to save his life, spending the next 15 months in hospital before moving to permanent care in Albury where he is confined to a wheelchair and can no longer form full sentences.
Judge Martine Marich said the driving had a "poignant and harrowing" effect on the man and his family, who were listening to the sentence being handed down in court, and the Ford driver.
Dodds pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious injury and conduct endangering a person.
When she is released from jail after six months, she will complete a 12-month community corrections order including 100 hours of work.
"I consider your behaviour to be a grave example of the offences charged ... Your behaviour led to (the victim's) profound injuries, his loss of independence and his loss of dignity," Judge Marich said.
"I expect you'll feel a profound sense of guilt for the rest of your life.
"It is a heavy burden for you to bear."
She said she accepted the incident was out of character for Dodds, who has not reoffended and has very good prospects of rehabilitation.
