Guilty pleas in fatal crash
The families of three roadworkers killed on a Bay of Plenty highway have been urged to take part in a restorative justice process with the man responsible for their deaths.
Tauranga man David Michael Cox pleaded guilty at the Whakata¯ ne District Court on Wednesday to three charges of careless driving causing death in a hearing attended by the family of Dudley Sole Raroa, 55, David Reginald Te Wira Eparaima, also 55, and Haki Graham Hiha, 40, who were killed in the crash on the Matata straight on February 26.
The summary of facts revealed the three men were contractors working for Higgins and were clearing a culvert alongside State Highway 2 to prevent flooding.
Conditions were ideal for driving with clear visibility and a dry road surface when the accident occurred about 1.50pm.
The Higgins trucks were parked on the road, either side of where the work was occurring, to alert motorists to their presence. The posted speed limit was 100kmh for the road and Cox was travelling at about 90kmh when he veered left and hit one of the trucks, shunting it forward into the culvert.
During the impact, Cox lost control of his truck and veered off the road also into a culvert. The three workers were fatally injured during the collision.
Judge Paul Mabey asked family to consider a restorative justice process for Cox.
‘‘This process has been shown to be a very effective process in the past,’’ he said.
‘‘I urge you to think carefully about attending this process, you may find going forward that it will be of great value to you and I strongly recommend the process.
‘‘Under law this is one of the less serious charges and he will be sentenced according to his culpability.’’
Several family members sobbed as the judge addressed them
‘‘Carelessness mean falling below the standard of a prudent driver and it is very easy to fall below that standard.
‘‘Lives were lost, and no one can replace those lives, but this is not a particularly serious offence even though there have been deaths.
‘‘Restorative justice will be an assistance to him and great assistance to you to help you with the loss of your precious family members. It is about healing.’’
Outside court members of the victims’ family and hugged each other for support.
❚ Cox was remanded on bail until June 19 when he will appear again for sentencing. ❚ Additional reporting, Whakatane Beacon