Elaine Atcheler fronted Kiama Local Court for the first time on Monday following the dangerous incident in March.

The 66-year-old Warrawong woman formally entered a plea of guilty to one charge of high-range drink driving.

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Documents tendered to court said shortly after 10am, Atcheler was driving a Mazda 2 on First Avenue when she mounted the kerb, drove along the footpath, and crashed into a tree on March 17.

Patrolling police from the Southern Region Enforcement Squad came across Atcheler a short time later still sitting in the driver's seat with the keys in the ignition and engine running.

Officers attended and carried out a preliminary breath test, which returned a positive result.

The woman was arrested and taken to the Lake Illawarra police station for a further breath test, which returned a reading of 0.306.

The woman was subsequently charged and her licence was suspended.

The agreed police facts said Atcheler was "well-affected" by liquor with her speech slurred.

"She was unsteady on her feet and required assistance to walk," the document said. "The accused's breath smelt strongly of intoxicating liquor.

When questioned, Atcheler said she could not remember when she started drinking but it had been days prior, stating she had consumed a bottle of brandy and a cask of white wine.

Police feared her actions could have resulted in a "catastrophic event".

She was issued with a future court attendance notice to appear in Kiama court on Monday.

IMagistrate Gabriel Fleming told Atcheler she would consider sentencing her to full time custody.

The case was adjourned to July 5 for sentence and Atcheler was ordered to participate in a sentence assessment report.

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