The scene of a crash on State Highway 5 near Waikite Valley Rd that resulted in three people being killed. Photo / NZME
The scene of a crash on State Highway 5 near Waikite Valley Rd that resulted in three people being killed. Photo / NZME
Trapped in her vehicle, Ria Natasha Trueman told police she was sorry for crossing the centreline.
Her actions resulted in three people dying and three others suffering injuries in a head-on crash south of Rotorua on June 29 this year.
The Napier woman had been travelling from Palmerston North toRotorua with her husband, a child and two family friends when the crash happened at Waiotapu.
The 41-year-old, known as Natasha, has pleaded guilty to three counts of careless driving causing death and three counts of careless driving causing injury as a result of the June 29 crash this year, just south of Rotorua.
Trueman appeared in the Rotorua District Court at the end of last month and pleaded guilty to the charges. A summary of facts detailing the case has now been released to the Rotorua Daily Post.
Natasha Trueman from Napier will be sentenced in the Rotorua District Court next month for three counts of careless driving causing death. Photo / NZME
The summary said Trueman was the driver of a blue Mazda Axela that left Palmerston North destined for Rotorua about 3pm.
In her car were her husband, Sean Trueman, 33, who was the front seat passenger, a young child who was the middle rear passenger, family friend Mark Daniels, 60, who was the left rear passenger and family friend Dayna Daniels, 28, who was the right rear passenger.
Trueman drove north along State Highway 1 and stopped at Waiouru at 4.42pm for a meal and toilet break. They continued their journey before stopping at Turangi at 5.55pm at the Z service station. They then drove to Taupō and headed towards Rotorua on State Highway 5.
Trueman entered the 80km/h speed zone at Waiotapu near Waikite Valley Rd.
The summary described the weather conditions as being fine with no rain or ice. It was dark but the stretch of road was supported by nearby street lighting. The road conditions were described as excellent with no visible contaminants or defects.
As Trueman passed Waikite Valley Rd on her left, she took a sweeping right-hand bend. Her vehicle started to drift right and crossed the double yellow lines.
Realising she had crossed the centreline, she attempted to swerve left back into her lane but collided head-on with a south-bound Nissan Primera.
Driving this car was Anthony Taylor. His wife, Tina Allen, was the front seat passenger.
Taylor died at the scene. Allen was seriously injured and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital where she was put in an induced comer. She died five days later as a result of her injuries.
Mark Daniels died at the scene and Dayna Daniels, who was transported by ambulance to Rotorua Hospital, suffered a fracture to her lower back and one rib.
Sean Trueman suffered a serious head injury resulting in a brain bleed. He was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
