Karen Williams forced to step down from 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee

Redland City, Australia mayor, Karen Williams, is facing major backlash after crashing her car while intoxicated into a tree following an appearance where she spoke to families of victims involved in drunk driving accidents. Since the incident occurred, Williams has been forced to resign from her position and will no longer serve on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee.

In addition to Williams receiving backlash, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is not being seen in the best light either. Rather than speak out about Williams’ choice to get behind the wheel of her car that night, Schrinner, a member of the Liberal National Party, tweeted, “I sincerely thank Mayor Williams who has always been and continues to be a strong advocate for the Games.”

While Williams has admitted that consuming “several glasses of wine” at a post-budget party was “an error in judgment,” it did little to comfort the families with whom she was supporting prior to the crash. Just hours before, Williams spoke with families of drunk-driving victims via video meeting. Among them was Judy Lindsay whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 2009.

Following the crash, Williams called Lindsay to apologize, but Lindsay told her, “I can’t have any contact with you any more. You can’t be doing the job you’re doing. I trusted you and this is what you’ve done.” Lindsay shared with Nine’s Today Program, “She’s got to go … she has no respect for anybody in this community by doing what she’s done.”

There is currently an online petition being passed around that has accumulated more than 3,500 signatures calling for Williams to now step down as Mayor of Redland City, but she has not yet done so. Williams said it would be a “rash decision” to step down from the position she has now held for more than 10 years.

Charges have still not been filed in the case yet as authorities await the toxicology reports. Williams has admitted that while she had several glasses of wine, she could not recall just how many she had consumed. Considering Williams appearance before the crash was about tougher youth sentencing in regards to drunk driving and drug-related accidents, many believe she should also be prosecuted for her wrongdoing.

Queensland’s police minister, Mark Ryan, said: “Speaking generally, if someone makes a bad choice, if someone breaks the law there should be consequences.”

Time will tell whether or not Williams will be placed under arrest when her blood analysis comes back, but as far as the community response goes, “Resign — you can’t lead this city and then endanger the people you represent,” State MP for Capalaba Don Brown said.