GEELONG MAN JAILED IN NZ OVER FATAL CRASH
A GEELONG businessman has been jailed in New Zealand for his role in a high-speed crash that killed two people, including Torquay builder Stephen Hayden.
Mark Edward Hayden, 53, was sentenced in the High Court of NZ yesterday to a prison term of two years and one month.
The father of three had pleaded guilty to manslaughter relating to the death of Nigel Freeman, 72.
Hayden was a passenger in a car driven by his cousin Stephen that crashed head on into Mr Freeman’s vehicle near Tekapo on July 3, 2017.
The cousins had hired a four-wheel-drive vehicle that soon attracted the attention of airport security after it was seen speeding around the carpark with its boot open.
Eventually police intercepted Stephen Hayden, who returned an alcohol reading more than four times the legal limit.
He was returned to his motel before the duo took off towards Lake Tekapo hours later.
Along the way, the car was seen driving off the road into the snow three times, with witnesses noticing Stephen and Mark Hayden appeared intoxicated.
They stopped to buy a bottle of vodka before continuing towards Twizel, with the car seen crossing the centre line.
A constable saw the car parked and observed Stephen Hayden to be intoxicated.
Mark Hayden told the officer his cousin had not been behind the wheel and the actual driver had walked off.
A screening device showed alcohol was present on Stephen Hayden’s breath, but when the constable said a further test was necessary, Mark Hayden became aggressive and said: “This is not going to happen.”
As the policeman called for back-up, Stephen Hayden sped from the scene and moments later crashed into Mr Freeman’s vehicle.
Mr Freeman and Stephen Hayden were killed instantly.
The court heard the rental car was travelling about 160-170km/h, while a blood sample taken from Stephen Hayden showed the presence of alcohol at more than six times the legal limit.
Justice Cameron Mander said Mark Hayden had contributed to his cousin’s actions through his behaviour towards the policeman and others who had tried to intervene.
“You appear to have become so drunk that, rather than assisting the efforts of those people, your actions served to encourage and aid your cousin along his destructive course,” Justice Mander said.
The court heard the family of Mr Freeman, including his wife and adult son, had been left devastated by his death.
The judge said the events had shocked people close to Mark Hayden, a businessman who had built a reputation in the real estate industry.
“That you should find yourself in this current position is difficult for those who know you and no doubt that is the same for yourself,” he said.