Man charged over hitandrun appears in court

LOWER HUTT: The man accused of being the driver in a serious hitandrun in Wellington that left a woman in hospital with serious injuries has appeared in court.

Jade Mark Harris

(27) appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court yesterday morning, on charges of careless driving causing injury, failing to stop to ascertain injury, and driving while forbidden.

He was arrested last week, a few days after the vehicle involved in the crash was found partially concealed at a Lower Hutt property.

The previous weekend 37yearold mother Anna Chesterfield was on a pedestrian crossing in High St, Taita, when she was hit by a car.

The driver did not stop, and Ms Chesterfield was left with serious injuries that required surgery.

Harris did not enter pleas in court yesterday, and was remanded to reappear next week.

Ms Chesterfield's cousin, Nicky Wilton, last week said the family were ``pleased and relieved'' that a person had been arrested for the hitandrun.

``As a family we will now focus on supporting Anna with her recovery and thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, donations and support,'' she said. — The New Zealand Herald