A man who drove into two women walking their dogs and left the scene has resigned the directorship of his Auckland company following a social media firestorm and public outrage.
Solomon Barnes’ resignation follows his conviction for careless driving and failing to stop, and his rejected bid to secure permanent name suppression in the hope of saving his career.
It also comes after separate investigations were launched by his franchise parent company, Laser Group, and an industry body after the Herald revealed Barnes’ identity last month.
Barnes had just left home and was driving along the semi-rural Attwood Rd, Paremoremo about 7.10am on Sunday, June 8 when the hit-and-run occurred.
He was on a Zoom call and trying to call his mother in the moments leading up to the crash.
Wandering north along the road edge in single file were best friends Sue Fletcher and Denise Prouse, with their dogs Macky and Luna.
Distracted, Barnes ploughed into the women and their dogs with his white Ford Ranger ute, knocking them into the roadside ditch.
As they lay seriously injured and crying out for help, Barnes drove off without stopping to check on the victims, later telling a judge he thought he’d hit a recycling bin.
He eventually pulled over further up the road, but only to inspect damage to his car.
Prouse and Fletcher both waived suppression so they could speak publicly about that day’s harrowing events.
Barnes operated franchisee firm Laser Plumbing & Roofing Whenuapai and was the face of the company.
He was sentenced in September to 200 hours’ community work and disqualified from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty.
Barnes argued unsuccessfully that his identity should be permanently suppressed because having his name published in connection with the offending would cause Laser Group to cancel his franchise contract due to reputational damage.
A judge rejected Barnes’ plea, ruling his offending was serious, that customers had a right to know about his actions and it was for the company to decide whether those actions warranted termination, not the court.
Judge Mark Williams granted him 20 days to file an appeal with the High Court. However, no appeal was filed and the Herald published a story on October 26 revealing his identity and that of his two victims.
Barnes’ photos and bio information had already been scrubbed from the company’s website, but the Herald understands there was a social media firestorm surrounding his offending once his name was publicly revealed.
The Herald newsroom also fielded correspondence from concerned locals and industry professionals outraged about Barnes’ actions.
Immediately after the sentencing, Laser Group general manager Kyle Weir said the company held its people to a high standard and was disappointed the incident had occurred.
“Mr Barnes has taken full responsibility for his actions in this personal matter and has accepted the fair consequences laid out through the courts.”
The company’s response would be guided by its values, Weir said.
“As is standard practice, any discussions related to corrective measures will be addressed through an internal Laser Group process and in line with the Laser Member Agreement.”
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers New Zealand also launched an investigation after Barnes lost his bid for name suppression.
A spokeswoman said Laser Plumbing Whenuapai was a registered member of Master Plumbers and the sector organisation was treating the incident “extremely seriously”.
“We are conducting our own investigation and have been in contact with the company involved.
“While we acknowledge the impact this situation has had on the wider company and its staff, who were not involved in the incident, our organisation does not condone criminal behaviour in any form and we recognise the Laser Group is undertaking its own internal process.
“Master Plumbers has a code of conduct that sets clear expectations for all members. This includes maintaining professional and personal behaviour that upholds the integrity of Master Plumbers, does not bring the organisation into disrepute and ensures continued public confidence in our members.”
Under mounting pressure, Barnes has now resigned from his directorship and ended his involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company, the Herald can reveal.
A spokeswoman for Laser Plumbing & Roofing Whenuapai said it was a small, locally-owned business which took pride in serving its community.
“Like everyone affected, we are devastated by the events surrounding Solomon’s personal actions. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“The situation prompted open and difficult conversations about the future of the business and our responsibility to our community, staff and customers.
“Following these conversations, it is appropriate that Solomon steps down as a director and day-to-day team member of Laser Plumbing & Roofing Whenuapai.”
The spokeswoman said the company was now focused on supporting its team and continuing to provide a trusted and reliable service to its customers and community.
Company office records shows Barnes ceased being a director of AJ Plumbing & Roofing (2007) on October 30 but remains a 50% shareholder.
Asked about his shareholding, the spokeswoman said as Barnes was not engaged as a standard employee, the company was working through an administrative process “to finalise the necessary arrangements as quickly as possible”.
Prouse told the Herald she felt there had been a lack of transparency.
She believed Laser Whenuapai should have stood Barnes down sooner during the four-month court case, rather than waiting for the public backlash after he was finally named and before he was removed as a director.
She felt Laser Group’s initial response was weak and didn’t go far enough.
That Sunday morning walk was a weekend ritual Prouse and Fletcher had enjoyed for 20 years.
But in an instant, the winter morning serenity was shattered by the thump of bodies on metal and their lives were forever changed.
The collision ripped a large chunk of the front bumper from Barnes’ vehicle and neighbours described the sound as being like a plane crash.
Prouse suffered multiple fractures, spent 12 days in hospital and is still recovering from severe physical injuries.
The 64-year-old can’t comprehend how someone could knock two people down and not stop to check on their condition or provide medical assistance.
“It’s just total disbelief that someone could have done so much damage and just drive off.
“Those moments when we were on our own after it happened, just the deathly silence, there was no noise. That’s when I knew for sure he had left the scene. It was quite haunting. We just didn’t think anyone would hear our cries for help.”
As Barnes drove away, Prouse lay broken on the side of the road, calling out for Luna.
She recalled wanting to close her eyes and go to sleep.
“I thought, ‘I wonder if I am dying’. I needed to make that moment matter because I didn’t know what was going to follow.”
She said the accident was totally preventable. All Barnes had to do was turn around, front up for his mistake and offer them assistance.
But his farcical excuses and attempts to avoid publicity meant he hadn’t “owned” his actions that day.
His bid for secrecy and to avoid a conviction was insulting and hurtful, Prouse said.
Barnes paid several thousand dollars to each woman in reparation. His insurer covered their significant medical and vet bills.
Prouse felt his sentence of community work and disqualification from driving was “light”. But she was grateful to see him finally held to account.
Waiving suppression meant the women could finally tell their stories and get closure.
“I don’t want to be the victim, I just want to move on,” Prouse said.
“It’s been a long wait. It’s never felt like a win. I don’t feel like we’ve won anything. It’s just justice.”
Fletcher recalls lying dazed and injured on the verge and watching the vehicle disappear into the distance.
While her injuries would eventually heal, her beloved pet Macky suffered severe damage and had to be put down days later.
Fletcher is incredulous that Barnes behaved in the way that he did.
Barnes’ bid for a discharge and permanent name suppression was galling and personally insulting, she said.
“It was so minimising to our experience to feel that he wanted to hide what he’d done from the community.
“He seemed more interested in protecting his name and his business interests than owning his accountability for his behaviour.”
In a statement provided through his lawyer, Barnes apologised for his actions and the harm he had caused the victims, their families and wider community.
“I take full responsibility for what occurred and accept the court’s judgment and consequences.
“I am committed to making amends, including fulfilling the court’s sentence, providing reparation and taking meaningful steps to build and regain trust in my community.”
Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.
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