Australian gaming tycoon Packer's ex-wife Meares facing jail, say reports

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian gaming tycoon James Packer's ex-wife Jodhi Meares faces possible jail time after allegedly crashing her Range Rover into parked cars and being charged with drink-driving, reports said on Monday.

Police said a 43-year-old woman had been arrested after a crash in Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs on Saturday evening. She was widely identified by the media as Meares.

"She was charged with high-range drink-driving and driving whilst suspended," police said in a statement.

Mr Packer, one of Australia's richest men with a personal fortune estimated at A$6 billion (S$7 billion), ended a three-year marriage to the swimsuit model in 2002.

The Australian newspaper said that bystanders helped Ms Meares, who is now engaged to former INXS singer Jon Stevens, out of her car after the crash but she was unhurt.

The accident happened in the exclusive suburb of Bellevue Hill, when the car smashed into three unoccupied parked vehicles before rolling on its side.

Police said the driver's alcohol reading was more than three times over the legal limit.

High-range drink driving offences carry penalties of up to 18 months' jail and a fine of A$3,300 in New South Wales state.

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