Driveway fatality: deceased's elderly neighbour pleads guilty

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An 85-year-old Okitu resident who critically injured a neighbour while reversing her car out of her driveway is hoping to be discharged without conviction.

Alan Hjorth was 70 and lived a few doors along from Jean Meng Yee at the northern end of Moana Road, Okitu, when he was struck by her Alfa Romeo vehicle on the pavement outside their properties on Saturday, September 2, last year.

Mr Hjorth sustained critical head injuries and was taken by ambulance to hospital but died the following day.

Police subsequently carried out a Serious Crash inquiry, which led to Meng Yee being charged with careless operation of a vehicle causing death.

She pleaded guilty to the charge during a brief appearance in Gisborne District Court yesterday afternoon.

Counsel Adam Simperingham asked the court not to convict Meng Yee at that stage as she intended to apply for a discharge without conviction.

Judge Tony Couch scheduled the application to be heard at a sentencing hearing on April 26.

Meng Yee was further remanded on bail until then.

According to a family notice previously published in The Gisborne Herald, Mr Hjorth was survived by his wife Sue, six children and nine grandchildren.

A large group of Mr Hjorth’s friends and family were present in court when Meng Yee entered her plea.