The area of road was windy and it was a particularly cold morning so Donovan was travelling to the conditions, he said.
Four students gave evidence for the prosecution. They said it was a cold day and Donovan was driving normally.
Two students described the vehicle sliding, as if on ice, as it went down the steep corner.
Senior Constable Alan Kees gave evidence that he arrived at the scene soon after 8am. The 1997 Toyota Hiace had extensive damage to its front left hand side, he said. Its left windows were also smashed.
He had attended two accidents on that corner in his 20 years as a policeman in Karamea, he said. That stretch of road was very windy and locals knew to take extreme caution there, particularly when it was frosty.
Mr Kees said he noticed some patches of frost on the sides of the road leading up to Glass Eye Creek, but was unconvinced there had been black ice on the corner when the crash happened.
Mr Bradley said he didn't think the police had proved their case. Judge Tony Couch agreed. He said the police evidence did not satisfy him beyond reasonable doubt. While the evidence suggested something unusual had happened, it was far from clear what had caused the crash.
"At this stage I would have to say there is not case to answer for."
He dismissed the charge.
