Motorcycle death causes double blow for family

"Glen was looking forward to the birth of our grandchild. We had so many things to do together." Donna Morgan

A family now mourns the death of two loved ones on one day, after a driver’s attempt at courtesy ended in the death of a motorcyclist.

Glen Evan Morgan died when his motorcycle collided with a car on October 30 – five years to the day after the sudden death of one of his children.

Mark Dixon, 52, wept in the Palmerston North District Court on Wednesday while being sentenced for careless driving causing Morgan’s death

Dixon was towing a trailer along State Highway 2, near Eketahuna, Wairarapa and pulled over to let traffic past as he went up a hill.

But he went too far left, losing control of his Isuzu four-wheel-drive and jackknifing the trailer.

The vehicle ended up in the opposite lane, where Morgan was riding a BMW motorcycle.

The 58-year-old Masterton man hit the 4WD and died at the scene from his injuries.

Police found the shoulder area where Dixon pulled over was very small, near the crest of a hill and in an area marked to show it was illegal to pass.

A statement read on behalf of Morgan’s children said the youngest of their siblings had died in tragic circumstances on October 30, 2011.

Morgan’s wife Donna Morgan said in her statement she was unable to continue the small business they started after her husband’s death and was under extreme financial pressure until it sold.

She was unable to eat, overcome with grief and required a child to move home to help her get through the days. ‘‘Glen was looking forward to the birth of our grandchild. We had so many things to do together,’’ she said.

The fact Dixon initially pleaded not guilty and failed to turn up to a restorative justice conference showed he had no remorse, she said. ‘‘I find this very disrespectful to us and our family.’’

Defence lawyer Craig Smith said Dixon suffered from mental illnesses, which could explain why restorative justice did not take place.

He pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance, without taking legal advice, because he thought the crash was an accident, Smith said. He changed his plea as soon as he talked to a lawyer.

‘‘He is extremely remorseful and acutely aware of the impact the death of the victim will continue to have on his wife, his children, his family and his friends,’’ Smith said.

Dixon offered $10,000 emotional harm reparation, as he wanted to help Morgan’s family, Smith said.

Judge Jim Large ordered Dixon to pay that within seven days, sentenced him to 200 hours’ community work and disqualified him from driving for nine months.