Arrest warrant follows no-show in court

A court heard Reuben Lindsay Hill sped through roadworks near Turakina and hit a road worker who was placing cones on the road. PHOTO/FILE

A man who admitted driving into and injuring a road worker is facing arrest after he failed to turn up in court on Monday.

Judge Jim Large issued a warrant to arrest for Reuben Lindsay Hill when he did not appear for sentencing at the Whanganui District Court.

Hill's lawyer, Anna Brosnahan, offered no explanation for her client's no-show.

In July, Hill pleaded guilty in the Whanganui District Court to dangerous driving causing injury and failing to stop to ascertain injury.

The charges relate to an incident on April 29, when Hill sped through roadworks near Turakina and hit a road worker who was placing cones on the road. She suffered gravel rash to her face, leg, shoulder, elbow and hands. She suffered various other injuries and was in hospital for 11 days.

"She initially suffered severe nightmares, waking on seeing headlights coming at her several times a night," the police summary of facts said.

Hill stopped after the incident, but then drove off. He was stopped by police a few kilometres up the road.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Allison said that Hill's victim, who is based in Levin, had been on her way to Whanganui to be in court for the sentencing, but she had been informed that Hill had not showed and turned back.