Truck driver admits fatal collision
Truck driver John William Herridge has admitted that his careless driving killed a student cyclist in a horrific crash on Lincoln Road.
The 75-year-old Spreydon man pleaded guilty to the charge of careless driving causing the death of Sharla Phylis Haerewa at a Christchurch District Court appearance before Judge John Strettell today.
Judge Strettell remanded Herridge on bail for sentencing on October 1, and asked for a pre-sentence report and a report on his ability to pay reparations to the victim’s family.
He also noted the suggestion of defence counsel Mark Callaghan that a Restorative Justice meeting between Herridge and the victim’s family would be held ahead of sentencing.
The accident occurred early on April 2 as a heavy truck delivering food and driven by Herridge made a turn from Lincoln Road and ran over the cycle ridden by the 22-year-old nursing student.
Miss Haerewa had front and rear lights operating on her bike and a red light on her back. She had a fluorescent cover on her backpack.
She was dragged 10m beneath the truck, and died at the scene despite immediate attempts at resuscitation. She had received trauma to the head and chest.
Herridge told the police that he did not see the rider, and had only used his rear vision mirror to ensure that his tyres did not hit the kerb before making the turn.
Category: Focus
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