Mum killed in truck cab fall
Drink-driver with zero alcohol licence drove family in unwarranted, laden vehicle
Whanga¯rei mother Josie Takimoana lay on the cab of a ute being driven by her partner then slid off, slammed headfirst into a road barrier and died.
Her partner, Frederick Megchelse, had been indefinitely disqualified from driving since September 14 but applied for and was granted a Zero Alcohol Licence.
The 30-year-old pleaded guilty in the Whanga¯rei District Court yesterday to one charge of driving contrary to a zero alcohol licence and another of excess breath alcohol causing death.
The level of alcohol exceeded 400mcg and he had, on at least two previous occasions, been convicted under the Land Transport Act.
A police summary of facts presented to the court said that on December 20, just five days before Christmas, Megchelse was driving a flat-deck Toyota truck on Whareora Rd. The warrant of fitness for the truck had expired in July 2018 and there were a number of large cracks in the windscreen.
Large household items were packed on to the truck, about level with the top of the cab.
Josie Takimoana was on the back of the ute with an 11-year-old girl while Megchelse was in the cab with two girls aged 8 and 15.
When a number of items fell off the ute on to the road, the young girl became frightened and opted to ride in the front with the three others.
Takimoana remained on the back and sat on the roof of the cab facing the rear of the vehicle.
Police said Takimoana then lay down on the roof of the cab, leant over the windscreen and looked into the cab. As she did Megchelse drove round a medium right-hand bend.
Takimoana slid off the left-hand side of the roof and slammed headfirst into a steel barrier on the side of the road. She suffered serious head injuries and died at the scene.
When police breath-tested Megchelse he recorded 600mcg of alcohol per litre of breath and said he had drunk four bottles of beer about 90 minutes before driving.
Takimoana’s father spoke briefly in court and confirmed his family has agreed to a restorative justice meeting with Megchelse.
He said he did not blame Megchelse but his daughter for what happened. The man said it was hard farewelling his daughter over the holiday period and he wanted Megchelse to spend time with his children.
Megchelse was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 29.