Darlene Fiveash, left, holds a picture of her daughter Annalese Bacon with Annalese's grandmother Joan Bacon after a coronial inquest into her death.
Darlene Fiveash, left, holds a picture of her daughter Annalese Bacon with Annalese's grandmother Joan Bacon after a coronial inquest into her death.
A grieving mother has backed a coroner's call for drivers who cause crashes to pay emergency services costs.
Rotorua coroner Dr Wallace Bain made the call during yesterday's inquest into the death of 17-year-old Annalese Jolene May Bacon of Taupo.
Annalese was the front seat passenger in a car thatspun out of control and flipped on Plateau Rd, Reporoa on October 19.
The driver, 22-year-old Trent Robertson, was sentenced in March to three years' jail for driving with excess blood alcohol causing death, dangerous driving causing death and driving while suspended.
Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor told the inquest the crash directly cost emergency services $12,715. That included an estimated 91 hours' police time, two fire crews at the scene for five hours and one for 30 minutes plus three ambulance crews engaged for about three hours.
"I was blown away when I saw this report," he said. "I don't think the public know [the costs] . . . I sit on these [inquests] all the time and I am blown away.
"They [drivers] should have to pay."
Dr Bain said in any other field, costs incurred due to "gross negligence" would be able to be recovered.
Annalese's mother, Darlene Fiveash, agreed.
"I do think Trent should be responsible for some of those costs because it's the taxpayer that pays those," she said.
"Anyone in that situation should be responsible ... otherwise they're getting away with it."
Dr Bain reserved his decision but said alcohol, cannabis, fatigue, speed, a suspended driver and multiple vehicle defects all contributed to the crash. The car did not have a warrant of fitness, all four tyres were substandard and the suspension had been lowered. Annalese was not wearing a seatbelt, which may have saved her life, he said.
Ms Fiveash, surrounded by Annalese's grandmother, brother, cousin and friends, said it was a relief to hear Annalese had died instantly.
