Fatal crash driver fails to show
An arrest warrant has been issued for an unlicensed driver who previously indicated he would plead guilty to causing a fatal crash but has failed to reappear in court.
Abraham Sovea was charged with dangerous driving causing death and being an unlicensed driver after a Waitangi Day crash on State Highway 3, near Mo¯kau, that resulted in the death of motorcyclist Chris McKay.
In September, Sovea, 22, appeared in the New Plymouth District Court and entered intimated guilty pleas to the charges and the case was transferred to the Manukau District Court, in Auckland, where he was from.
Sovea was due to reappear on October 14, to formalise his guilty pleas, but the case was adjourned so he could apply for legal aid seek further legal advice.
However, the case was then transferred back to the New Plymouth District Court and Sovea was supposed to appear before Judge Gregory Hikaka yesterday but failed to turn up for the hearing.
Defence lawyer Julian Hannam appeared on instructions from Auckland-based lawyer Renee Karena and said because of Sovea’s failure to appear he could not oppose a warrant for his arrest being issued.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Heath Karlson sought an arrest warrant to be issued. Hikaka granted the application.
At the time of the crash, Sovea, who was advised in 2018 that he did not meet the visual criterion for driving, had been heading south on SH3 and attempted to make a right-hand turn, crossing the centreline, into a driveway.
The highway is divided into two lanes, with a double yellow no passing lane down the middle, and the driveway was on the southern side of the brow of a hill and just after a slight right curve.
McKay, who was heading north, collided with the back lefthand side of a trailer Sovea was towing before hitting the driver’s side of a following car and then the front of another vehicle.
The 54-year-old father, who was known for his love of adventure, motorcycles and camping, and for being ‘‘a bloody good mate’’, died at the scene.
Sovea admitted to police he was short-sighted.
‘‘He stated that he could only see about 60 to 70 metres and was used to making things out.’’
Sovea acknowledged to officers the entrance to the driveway he was attempting to turn into, when coming from the northern end, was potentially dangerous, describing it as a ‘‘blind corner’’.
Sovea has a long list of driving offences and was charged with driving while forbidden only 20 days before the crash on January 20 in Te Kuiti.
The dangerous driving charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a $20,000 fine.