Truck firm fined $110,000 for brake failure causing death

AUCKLAND: A truckleasing company has been fined $110,000 and ordered to pay almost $50,000 in reparations after one of its vehicle’s brakes failed, causing the death of a rubbish collector.

Jane Devonshire was crushed to death in August 2015 when the truck she was working on rolled off the road in north Auckland and plunged down a bank.

The 19yearold Devonshire was standing on the cab as the brakes failed.

The truck was owned by Truck Leasing Ltd, which leased the vehicle to contractors Onyx Group Ltd, carrying out rubbish collection on behalf of Auckland Council.

A vehicle maintenance company, N P Dobbe, serviced the trucks.

All four parties were charged for their culpability in Ms Devonshire’s death, and for violations of the Health and Safety in Employment Act, but only the former — Truck Leasing Ltd — entered a notguilty plea.

The latter three parties received combined total fines of $120,000, plus a similar combined amount for reparations.

Truck Leasing Ltd argued they could not be held respon sible for serious defects in the truck’s braking system or its substandard servicing.

However, they were found guilty last month of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the truck was maintained, and were sentenced yesterday.

Judge Robert Ronayne said the company’s costconsciousness and financial pressures overrode any importance they may have placed on safety.