Biker guilty for running over top athlete

The man who ploughed into a top New Zealand multisport athlete with his motorbike has been convicted of careless driving causing injury.

Darren Holloway, a drainer from Pyes Pa, was found guilty after a defended hearing in the Tauranga District Court today.

The court heard how Dwarne Farley, eight-time Kaimai Classic winner, was running along a Te Puna road on a late May evening when Holloway approached him on the bike.

Holloway, 51, was disqualified from driving for six months and fined more than $1500 - $1000 of which would be paid to Farley in emotional harm reparation costs at $50 per week.

The court was told Holloway was on the wrong side of Crawford Rd as he attempted to cut through an S-bend and collided with Farley, who was wearing a reflective jacket and shoes.

Holloway then left to phone an ambulance, returned to Farley who was lying on the side of the road with passers by helping, and left again.

It was four days before police found him.

Holloway maintained he had hit a large pool of water on the road which had hydroplaned into Farley.