Cyclist’s death ‘utter tragedy’
The haunting and palpable pain of taking another’s life through a moment’s inattention was evident for all to see at Hastings District Court.
It was in the tears of Neville Tasovac as the 69-year-old stood in the dock before Judge Bridget Mackintosh yesterday.
It was also in the weeping of family members of Ted Tamai, who was killed when Tasovac’s Mitsubishi Pajero ploughed into the bike he was riding in January last year.
The 70-year-old greatgrandfather was riding in the sealed shoulder of the Hawke’s Bay expressway when he was hit from behind on January 10.
He was thrown from his bike onto the road and died of his injuries a short time later.
Tasovac was in court because he had pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing death.
His lawyer Lisa Grant told the judge there was a very low level of carelessness involved.
She said sunlight and other conditions needed to be taken into account and at the time of the accident Tasovac was being followed by a driver whose vehicle was too close to him.
‘‘He was feeling the pressure to pull over. He pulled over. He did not see Mr Tamai. That’s how the accident occurred,’’ she said.
Grant said the Tamai and Tasovac families had both been greatly affected by the accident.
‘‘They’ve helped each other through this tragic accident. He’s still going out and meeting them.’’
Grant read a text message sent to Tasovac by one of Tamai’s grandchildren who was among the group in court.
‘‘I hope you get a good night’s sleep and are fresh for tomorrow. Just remember whatever comes of it, we back and support you being innocent 110 per cent. I hope we can all celebrate the closure of this chapter with coffee and chats afterwards. You have helped me in this healing process more than you will ever know,’’ the message said.
Grant said Tasovac was a pensioner with health conditions that meant he could not do community work.
Judge Mackintosh noted Tasovac and Tamai family members had been through a restorative justice process that had been very beneficial.
‘‘It’s a complete and utter tragedy. No-one can really describe it in any other way. . . Everybody’s been affected by this and there’s no way I can put into words today the kind of grief his wife and family members must be feeling as a result of what happened that day,’’ the judge said.
‘‘It was a complete accident. These things do happen,’’ she said, before ordering Tasovac to pay a fine of $500.
He must also pay a further emotional harm sum to Tamai’s widow of $1500, and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.