Driver expresses remorse to victims; son suffered brain injury in crash

A CHRISTCHURCH man responsible for a crash that injured nine people at Maheno late last year will have to live with the consequences of his carelessness on a ‘‘daily basis’’ the Oamaru District Court heard yesterday.

Vinod Sam Vikram Konda (46) had earlier pleaded guilty to six charges of careless use of a motor vehicle causing injury as a result of the December 17 crash on State Highway 1.

About 7.55pm, Konda was driving a Toyota vehicle with five passengers, including his 8monthold and 6yearold sons, north on the highway through Maheno in fine weather conditions at between 70kmh and 80kmh. The section of road has a speed limit of 70kmh and double yellow lines.

As his vehicle approached the Kakanui River bridge, Konda looked over his shoulder to speak to his wife, a passenger in the back seat, about having a ‘‘comfort stop’’.

The car veered into the southbound lane of the highway into the path of a Mitsubishi hatchback with three occupants, including a 1yearold baby.

The driver of that vehicle attempted unsuccessfully to evade Konda’s vehicle and the driver’s side of both vehicles bore the majority of the impact of the collision.

Konda’s vehicle rolled several times, coming to rest on its side in the southbound lane, and the Mitsubishi spun 360deg before it stopped on the side of the road.

Two people trapped in the Mitsubishi had to be freed by firefighters using the jaws of life.

In total, seven people — four from the Toyota and three from the Mitsubishi — were taken to Dunedin Hospital by two helicop ters and three ambulances with serious and moderate injuries, including Konda, who had left wrist and right leg fractures.

Both infants, restrained in a car seats, received minor bruising and cuts that did not require medical treatment.

Konda’s 6yearold son suffered a brain injury he still struggled with, which Judge Joanna Maze said would affect the defendant for years to come.

‘‘The impact on the victims has been significant, but probably the victim most affected is the defendant’s own child, and he has to deal with that on a daily basis,’’ she said.

Konda’s wife, sisterinlaw and fatherinlaw were also injured.

As noted in a letter to the victims, Judge Maze said Konda was ‘‘extremely remorseful’’. He had also ‘‘made amends’’ with his family, duty solicitor Emma Middlemass said.

Sentencing Konda, Judge Maze said the crash came as the result of a ‘‘medium to high’’ level of carelessness.

Konda was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered a total of $2000 reparation, to be split between two of the victims.