Tauranga driver jailed for failing to check on crash victim

Thomas Eynon, who failed to stop after a serious injury crash and also caught drink-driiving was jailed in the Tauranga District Court on Monday. Photo / File

A Tauranga man, who failed to stop after a collision with a car driven by an elderly woman, has been jailed for 12 months.

The 71-year-old victim was knocked out for five to 10 minutes, and treated at hospital for a brain bleed, a bruise on her brain, concussion, soft tissue injuries and cuts.

Thomas Eynon, 36, earlier pleaded guilty to careless use of a motor vehicle, failing stop to ascertain injury and failing to report an accident to police.

Eynon lost control on Welcome Bay Rd and his Nissan skidded across two traffic islands and crashed into the 71-year-old victim's car as she waited to turn into Kaitemako Rd.

She has ongoing medical problems, including inner-ear issues affecting her balance that require specialist treatment.

Eynon's jail sentence included nine months for an unrelated charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol - his fourth such offence.

On November 2, Eynon was caught driving in Putaruru with a breath alcohol level of 1272- that's more than five times the adult legal limit of 250mcg.

Judge Paul Mabey QC told Eynon that the careless driving and failing to report a crash were minor offences in the scheme of things.

But failing to check on his victim was "one of the most serious offences" in the list of traffic-related crimes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

"For all you knew, Mr Eynon, your victim could have critical injuries or she could have been dead," he said.

Eynon was also ordered to pay $2477 reparation, disqualified from driving for 12 months. and his Nissan utility was confiscated.