Journalist Natasha Exelby has admitted to drink driving after crashing her Kia into a parked car in Toorak.
Exelby, 34, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where she escaped conviction after admitting to drink driving and driving while suspended.
The former 10 News First reporter was busted earlier this year driving more than four times over the legal limit, according to the Herald Sun.
Exelby drove a white Kia Cerato into a parked car along Orrong Rd in Toorak on June 26.
Two police officer attended the scene and conducted a preliminary breath test, detecting alcohol.
Journalist Natasha Exelby has admitted to drink driving after crashing her Kia into a parked car in Toorak. Pictured
Exelby allegedly told police she had only consumed ‘two seltzers’ and that she did not believe she was driving while suspended.
However, ‘an evidentiary breath test later revealed she had an alleged blood alcohol concentration of .220,’ the Herald Sun reported.
In a statement to the outlet, Exelby took ‘full responsibility’ for her actions.
‘It’s no secret that I’ve suffered from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for many years,’ she said.
‘At the time of the incident, I was going through a very dark period with multiple medication changes.
‘Never in my life did I think I would be capable of what happened but regardless of my mental health, my actions were shocking beyond words and I take full responsibility.’
Exelby allegedly told police she had only consumed ‘two seltzers’ and that she did not believe she was driving while suspended
In September 2022, Natasha spoke bravely about her mental health struggles on Studio 10.
She admitted she had ‘spent hours and hours’ crying ‘for no reason’ a few days prior and that she’d ‘danced the depression devil’ for years.
She made the admission while speaking to host Tristan MacManus about R U OK? Day, a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you okay?” and support those struggling with life’s ups and downs.
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When Tristan asked Natasha how she was doing, she said she was doing ‘great’ that day, but if he’d asked her on Sunday she would have said no.
‘I cried for hours and hours for no reason [on Sunday],’ she added.
‘I think R U OK? Day is so important. I’ve been deliberately pretty open with the fact that I’ve danced with the depression devil for 24 years.
‘I hope we don’t just do this [talk openly about mental health] as a one-off.’
‘Mental illness is an illness,’ she continued. ‘If I have to have a day off because I have tonsillitis, I’ve got to have a day off because I’m fighting depression.
‘We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got a long way to go.’
In September 2022, Natasha spoke bravely about her mental health struggles on Studio 10. The 34-year-old admitted she’d ‘spent hours and hours’ crying ‘for no reason’ and that she’d ‘danced the depression devil’ for years
Natasha previously said in recent years she’d battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after covering war zones in the Middle East.
That same month, she opened up about her mental health on Instagram, saying she had been on medication and in therapy for major depression for years.
The TV personality, who was first diagnosed with depression when she was just 15, compared her experience to ‘drowning’.
‘In a time when depression, anxiety and self-harm are at record highs, I thought it might be helpful to show, that if you do feel like you’re drowning, you are not alone,’ she wrote.
Natasha previously explained that in recent years she’d battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after covering war zones in the Middle East
‘I was diagnosed with major depression at 15 and been on meds ever since and consistent psychiatric therapy and exercise,’ she added.
‘You will never be fully cured, but I promise, there is light at the end of the tunnel… even if it’s a long tunnel!
‘I hope that if you’re reading this and feeling helpless or know someone who is, it will encourage you to get the help you deserve.’
If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue
