Community Unconditional Jail After Fatal Accident: Sleeping Medications Found In Her Bloodstream

A fatal accident caused by a “completely valuable member” of the Whangārei community led to the man being sent to prison after pleading guilty in a police case that included evidence of sleeping drugs in his blood.

Wayne John Purdon, 57, of Whangārei Tikipunga, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for dangerous driving that caused death, and one year for dangerous driving that caused injury in an accident on July 14, 2019 in State Highway 1 north of Ruakaka.

Community nurse Jodee-Anne Genevieve Redmond, 55, died after Purdon’s ute struck her car head-on, ending her 12-kilometer streak of detours and switchbacks through it and the opposite lane.

He died at the scene of the accident. Blood samples taken from Purdon revealed that he had the sleeping drug zopiclone in his system, although he says he has no idea how it got there.

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The accident also seriously injured David Dell, who was in the car behind Redmond, and left Purdon with injuries that were obvious as he limped across the courtroom at Whangārei District Court to take his place on the dock.

Judge Duncan Harvey told the packed court that sentencing was “enormously difficult.” She had been told about Purdon’s family, life, and clean record, and given 62 references about her good character.

It was clear, Harvey said, that Purdon was “a worthwhile member of the community.”

“You are respected, loved and a very useful member of the community. Unfortunately, from time to time, good people do bad things.

“This type of driving is unacceptable.” He said Purdon had expressed uncertainty as to why his blood showed the sleeping medication, but the medical evidence was clear.

Also, at the time, you “would have known” how erratic and dangerous his driving was. “The result has been totally and absolutely devastating.”

Redmond’s husband, Paul Wager, said out of court that he hoped to see Purdon banned from driving for life, though he realized the law didn’t allow it.

Harvey disqualified Purdon from driving for three years.

“It’s never going to be a good result for anyone. The best result would have been to get this gentleman off the road for the rest of his life. That was never going to be in the cards.”

Said there was a question mark left on sleeping medication. “The evidence is that he had it in his system. That’s all we know.”

Wager said he recognized there was an impact on both families. “We just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone again.”

On the court, Wager, with Redmond’s sons Alex and Sam, faced Purdon. From his wheelchair, Wager talked about how difficult it had been to find his soul mate. “It’s rare, almost impossible, to find someone who can see past a disability. Now you’ve taken her away.

“She was my protector, but I was hers too and I feel guilty that I couldn’t protect her from you.”

There were nine years of marriage before Redmond’s death and at that time he became increasingly aware of the enormous contribution she made through her caring and acts of kindness in the community.

“I can definitely say that he is the most selfless person I have ever met.”

The couple had discussed their wishes in the event of her death and she had asked that no funeral be held or burial. “I just didn’t want anyone to make a fuss. It’s hard to describe how emotionally difficult it was to grant that wish.”

While not mentioned in court, Massey University now gives an annual award to a freshman in the College of Health School of Nursing who displays “generosity of spirit, empathy with patients, honesty, and an influence positive about other students. “

Rene Redmond, Redmond’s older brother, spoke with siblings who leaned in for support during his statement in court.

“An unfathomable sadness is what I feel every day,” he said. Redmond had been “ruthlessly ripped from my life” and left “lost and alone.”

“I so admired his courage to confront rather than walk away.” He said the victim’s impact statement was his chance to speak for her.

He said Purdon had made a “sustained decision to continue driving while you were completely unable to do so.” “Why the hell didn’t you stop?”

During sentencing, Purdon kept his head down. At one point, a court guard handed him a stack of handkerchiefs.

At the back of the courthouse, Purdon’s wife, Rebecca, also a nurse, cradled his face in her hand throughout the process. The moment Harvey passed sentence and learned that Purdon was going to prison, he collapsed and sobbed.

Judge Harvey said Purdon had been riding motocross bikes in Ruakaka during the day. He went home, pulling a motorcycle trailer out of Ruakaka and onto State Highway 1. He crossed the center line after 12 km of erratic driving and collided head-on with Redmond’s car.