Man pleads not guilty to charges in death of Bay of Islands nurse

Waipapa man Mane Peter Adams pleaded not guilty to the charge of operating a vehicle carelessly allegedly causing the death of Mandy Rita Mackenzie. Photo / NZME

The man charged with careless use of a vehicle, which allegedly caused the death of a Bay of Islands’ nurse, has pleaded not guilty.

Mandy Rita Mackenzie, 35, died in a car accident on December 28 last year.

Mane Peter Adams, 59, of Waipapa appeared in Kaikohe District Court yesterday, charged with operating a vehicle carelessly, thereby causing Mackenzie’s death.

Adams was also charged with operating a vehicle carelessly, thereby causing injury to another person.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The maximum penalty for both charges is imprisonment of three months and/or a fine of up to $4500.

Adams did not apply for name suppression.

He was due to appear at Kaikohe District Court again on August 26.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.