Driver makes late admission on crash
A MAN who flipped his car on one of Dunedin’s busiest streets said he denied criminal culpability because he had no recollection of the spectacular crash.
Shortly before his judgealone trial in the Dunedin District Court yesterday, Mason James Purvis (24) pleaded guilty to careless driving causing injury.
Counsel Jo Turner said the man could not remember the incident in Stuart St last May but upon reading the witness statements, had decided to take responsibility.
Purvis was driving east towards the city centre when he approached the crest of a hill and lost control of his Honda, the court heard.
It was ‘‘highly indicative of speed well over the limit’’, Judge Kevin Phillips said.
When Purvis hit the raised median strip, the car rolled, hit a pole on the other side of the road and came to rest in an area of foliage dividing the four lanes.
His girlfriend, Mikayla McLaughlan, was hospitalised and had to wear a neck brace for a few weeks.
There was no mention of injuries to the defendant.
‘‘Quite simply here, your driving was appalling,’’ the judge said.
‘‘It was a main arterial route on a Friday night. It would’ve been busy.’’
He was equally flabbergasted by Purvis’ continued denial of guilt up until the day of trial.
It was ‘‘indicative of a lack of remorse’’, Judge Phillips said.
Purvis was banned from driving for nine months and sentenced to 80 hours’ community work.
It came with a warning, too.
‘‘If you breach community work, you’ll go to prison,’’ the judge said, after citing previous convictions for driving while disqualified and breaching court orders.
rob.kidd@odt.co.nz