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Maxine Jacobs / Stuff
Lance Bell’s motorcycle was badly damaged in the August accident, caused by Laura Amy Brown, which claimed her life.
A woman whose partner was killed in an accident caused by a New Zealand Transportation Agency employee who violated her learner’s license says she has lost her dreams of marriage and more children to the love of her life.
Kavana Jane now has to raise her daughter on her own, she told Palmerston North District Court on Monday.
Laura Amy Brown, 27, was in the dock to be sentenced for careless driving that resulted in the death of Lance Dillon Bell on August 8.
He was driving from Palmerston North to Rangiotu when he crossed State Highway 56 at Rangiotu Rd.
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Brown was in violation of his learner’s license, which he had held for nine years, by not having a fully licensed driver in the passenger seat and not displaying L plates.
He saw the light of Bell’s motorcycle approaching, but thought he had enough time to cross. He did not and the motorcycle collided with the side of his car.
The force ripped the front wheel and steering off the motorcycle, while Bell launched himself up to 30 meters.
He died that same afternoon at the hospital.
Jane said that she and Bell’s daughter, who was five months old at the time of the accident, would have few photos and memories to remember their father.
He wasn’t there to take her to her first day of kindergarten, see her first “wide-tooth smile,” or stress over her first boyfriend.
Brown made a series of decisions – to drive with his learner’s license, never search for his full or restricted licenses, and not wait to see the motorcycle light, which led to Bell’s death, Jane said.
Brown’s name was previously removed, but a judge declined to agree with a submission that publishing his name could damage his now-old job at the Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency.
Defense attorney Mike Andrews said Brown lost his job (he had spent 18 months working on vehicle licenses) due to his conviction.
Many drivers made careless decisions, such as when opening car doors or exiting driveways, which had little or no consequence, he said.
“In this case, the consequences were serious.”
Since then, Brown has obtained his full driver’s license and completed a defensive driving course.
Judge Jonathan Krebs said a pre-sentencing report showed Brown had real and extreme remorse for his actions.
It was impossible to know whether a fully licensed driver in the passenger seat would have influenced the outcome.
“You misjudged [the gap],” he said.
Brown was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, barred from driving for nine months, and ordered to pay a $ 9,000 repair.
