Driver sentenced over death of pedestrian

The 47-year-old was sentenced in the North Shore District Court. Photo / File

An Auckland woman, whose careless driving resulted in the death of a pedestrian, has been sentenced to 12 months supervision and disqualified from driving for nine months.

Forty-seven-year-old Helen Loo appeared in the North Shore District Court this afternoon, where she was also ordered to do 75 hours of community work.

Ms Loo, who is single, unemployed and on a sickness benefit, was driving into a roundabout on Caribbean Drive in Albany, when she struck Yufang Jiang on October 3 last year.

Mrs Jiang went onto the bonnet before she was flung off onto the road, as Ms Loo's car came to a stop.

She received critical head injuries and died the following day in hospital.

Judge Lawrence Hinton acknowledged Ms Loo had "stepped up to the plate" from day one, by pleading guilty at her first court appearance.

But he added while the driving was careless, and not dangerous or reckless, it did cause the death of Mrs Jiang.

Judge Hinton said the victim was a much loved mother and wife.

He referred to a victim impact statement from Mrs Jiang's only daughter, who spoke of a "pain that will never go away".

"Her daughter says 'no counselling, no strategies and no intervention can mend our broken hearts'."

Judge Hinton said the incident showed the consequences of careless driving could be grievous and tragic.

However, he acknowledged that Ms Loo too had suffered anxiety as a result of the tragedy, was in counselling and had showed heartfelt remorse.

"You are a quiet and respectful woman who devotes her time supporting family," he added.

Judge Hinton also acknowledged Ms Loo's family circumstances were difficult, as her father was also seriously unwell.

For these reasons he deemed a sentence of supervision was appropriate.