North Harbour Triathlon Club member Warrick Jones, 50, was killed while cycling in Belmont. Photo / Supplied
North Harbour Triathlon Club member Warrick Jones, 50, was killed while cycling in Belmont. Photo / Supplied
The family of a cyclist killed in a collision with a truck in a cycle lane say they are haunted by the thought he knew what was coming.
Auckland cyclist Warrick Jones, 50, was killed while cycling in Belmont, on Auckland’s North Shore, when he collided with a truck atthe intersection of Lake Rd and Montgomery Ave in March 2021.
He was remembered as someone who worked hard as a triathlete but always put his wife and children first.
Truck driver Simei Mose, 34, was discharged without conviction at Manukau District Court on Friday.
Mose faced a charge of careless use of a motor vehicle causing death, which had a maximum penalty of three months’ imprisonment or a $4500 fine.
Mose was working as a truck driver at the time and failed to notice Jones as he approached the intersection and turned left on Montgomery Ave at speed.
Mose stated he indicated to turn left and checked his rearview mirror twice before turning.
Jones attempted to avoid the oncoming truck by braking heavily, which caused the back wheel of the bicycle to lock up.
His bike began to skid and as the truck collided with him, he was thrown off his bike.
Jones became partially stuck under the rear wheels of the truck and he died at the scene because of his injuries.
Warrick Jones was a dedicated triathlete but always put his wife and children first. Photo / Supplied
‘Seeing their worlds implode’
A victim statement by Jones’ wife said she was in a relationship with him for 23 years.
She said telling her three children of their father’s death was traumatic.
“It was so traumatic seeing their worlds implode,” her statement read.
The statement shared the grief she felt knowing her children would never get to have an adult relationship with their father.
She said she never imagined the moment she waved her husband goodbye would be the very last.
Her statement, read by Judge Clare Bennett, said she was working from home on the afternoon of her husband’s death and her colleagues online mentioned hearing about the crash.
She said she had a bad gut feeling straight away.
Warrick Jones was remembered as someone who had a really positive attitude and was a hard worker. Photo / Supplied
Her statement said the sound of the police boots at her doorstep still haunted her.
Family statements said they hoped Mose could move forward from this tragedy and declined reparation.
The judge acknowledged the Jones family for their gracious forgiving attitude throughout the entire process.
Some of the factors influencing the decision included that he was willing to participate in restorative justice, he accepted responsibility and the delay in sentencing.
“He’s been at the club for the last few years and is just a lovely guy; always has a really positive attitude and a hard worker,” Waite told the Herald in 2021.
“He’s fantastic. I can’t speak any higher of him.
“But his family came first. Put it this way – a lot of us like to train a lot. But he would regularly reschedule his training to spend time with his family.”
