Visitor charged with death of librarian
The 47-year-old who admitted causing the death of a school librarian following a crash in the Canterbury village of Castle Hill earlier this month was driving on the wrong side of the road when the collision occurred. Court documents provided to the
Herald state the crash happened soon after the overseas national had stopped with his wife and child at Lake Lyndon to take photographs and had just returned to the road to continue their trip to Christchurch.
Sue Johnson, the librarian at John Paul II High School in Greymouth, was with her husband, Ian, principal of St Patrick’s School in Greymouth, when the man collided head on with their car on West Coast Rd on January 14.
Ian Johnson and four other people were injured in the crash which happened just before 5pm.
The man was charged with one count of careless or inconsiderate vehicle operation causing the death of Sue Johnson and one of careless or inconsiderate vehicle operation causing injury to her husband.
He appeared in the Christchurch District Court before Judge Katie Elkin on Monday and pleaded guilty to both charges.
He was granted interim name suppression on the basis the situation was “still raw” and he had not had a chance to tell either his family overseas or the company he worked for.
The man will be sentenced on February 15.
On Monday, Judge Elkin granted the driver bail on three conditions — that he did not drive a vehicle, that he surrendered his passport and that he did not apply for any travel documents.
He is seeking a Restorative Justice meeting before sentencing with the family of his victims.
He faces a maximum of three months in prison for each charge he has admitted, or fines of $4500 for each count.
John Paul II principal Renee Hutchinson earlier told the Herald that Johnson will be “sadly missed.
“Sue was known for her good humour and laughter,” Hutchinson said.
“Sue was a valued member of our staff who enjoyed working with our students in her role as librarian. She worked hard to make the library a safe and inclusive space for all students.”
A memorial was held yesterday morning for Sue Johnson at the school.