Forgiveness over tragedy ‘beyond belief’
Seven months after Ashleigh Knight died following a fall from the back of a ute on Crate Day, her family have forgiven the man responsible for her death.
It’s a response a judge described this week as “powerful” and “beyond belief”.
Joshua Wolland, 20, avoided conviction for the tragedy, which claimed the life of his close friend Ashleigh Knight.
Judge Jonathan Krebs heard on Thursday that Wolland was remorseful for what had happened and, despite the terrible consequences, the incident had brought the friend group closer together.
He told a courtroom packed with Wolland and Knight’s family and friends, that Wolland had been forgiven for what happened.
“They acknowledge that this was indeed an accident; they don’t want to see Mr Wolland published by the court or convicted.
“They have expressed forgiveness, which almost defies belief.”
According to the summary of facts, Wolland and others were drinking in Pohangina, Manawatu¯, as part of Crate Day on December 4.
Crate Day is an event coined by a radio station which challenges people to drink an entire crate of 750ml beers on the first Saturday in December.
Wolland and eight others got into his flatbed ute — three in the
front, five, including Knight, in the tray — and headed to a nearby river to go for a swim that evening.
On the way back, Knight sat on a wooden chair in the tray of the ute.
Wolland drove around an S-bend and Knight fell off the back of the ute and hit the ground.
She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards from injuries sustained from her fall.
Wolland had a breath alcohol reading of 400mcg per litre of breath after having admitted to drinking two crate bottles during the afternoon.
As he was under 20 at the time, his breath alcohol limit was zero, while the adult limit is 250mcg.
Judge Krebs ruled in the Palmerston North District Court that Wolland be discharged without conviction from a charge of careless driving while under the influence.
Krebs did impose a disqualification from driving for nine months and ordered Wolland to pay a $2500 donation to the Manawatu¯ Rescue Helicopter, which attended the accident.
Knight’s parents described their only daughter as “beautiful and cherished” in a family notice published after her death.