Carole Chapman, 77, was sentenced to 150 hours of community work and disqualified from driving for nine months after causing the death of Anthony Jeffery Keen, 29, who died of a fatal head injury after being hit by her car at an intersection near Māpua.
The court heard that Chapman saw the oncoming motorcyclist on the crash day but thought she had time to turn right into Māpua Drive safely. Keen was traveling within the 100km/h speed limit and had the right of way but did not have time to brake or avoid Chapman’s car as she began to turn into Māpua Drive.
The impact was significant, and Keen was thrown some distance from his motorcycle and died at the scene. Judge Tony Zohrab said the charge carried a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment or a fine of up to $4500. Keen’s family did not want Chapman imprisoned, as they did not want her to bear the heavy load and that Anthony and his family had suffered greatly.
Chapman was also ordered to pay $10,000 in emotional harm reparation to Keen’s family after making an offer to do so. A restorative justice meeting between the families was rewarding, allowing Chapman to learn more about Keen’s background and circumstances.
Keen’s family encouraged Chapman when she expressed concerns about being defined by her error of judgment.
Defence lawyer Michael Vesty said Chapman had no previous convictions or intention of driving again. A conviction at this late stage of her life and her driving career is a significant penalty, and she wears it very heavily.
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