Georgia's father gets driver's $40,000

By CLAIRE TREVETT

The grandfather of Georgia McCarten Graham has accepted the $40,000 compensation offer made by the family of the driver who killed her.

The money, which was to be paid to Georgia's kindergarten, was turned down by her mother, Chantel McCarten, after it was cited in an application to reduce the driver's prison sentence. She described it as blood money.

The 4-year-old was killed when Ding Yan Zhao, 19, lost control of his car and crashed into the forecourt of the Rangiriri petrol station, pinning Georgia against a wall and seriously injuring her father, Cameron Graham.

Cameron Graham's father, Rex Graham, said he had accepted the money on behalf of his son, Ms McCarten's ex-partner, after Zhao's lawyers offered it to them again.

He and Cameron had discussed it and the money would be used to help get his son's life back on track.

The acceptance of the money has disappointed the McCartens.

Georgia's maternal grandfather, John McCarten, said he strongly disagreed with Rex Graham's actions.

"However, Mr Graham's personal mana and that of his family are his to do with as he pleases."

Mr Graham said he did not see it as blood money.

"We've never really thought about it in terms like that. And we still don't. That's just silly talk."

He said they had not accepted it originally because they had not had time to think it over.

"We were just getting over the accident and trying to get Cam back on his feet and the fact that Georgia had died."

Georgia was travelling with her father to visit her grandparents in Hawkes Bay when the accident happened. Cameron Graham was thrown 10m through the air and received serious head injuries.

Rex Graham said his son suffered from memory loss and could not use one hand.

"He was just out of his cancer therapy for 10 days when the accident happened. The fact is that Cam was very seriously injured in the accident and that is something that has been a little bit overlooked."

Zhao's sentence for dangerous driving causing injury and death was halved on appeal. Justice Tony Randerson said the original two-year sentence was excessive in comparison with similar cases.

He also said the sentencing judge had not taken sufficient account of the $40,000 offer made by Zhao's family - an offer he was required by the new Sentencing Act to take into account.

Ms McCarten initially said the money could go to Georgia's kindergarten. But she said considering the payment as a factor in reducing Zhao's sentence had turned it into blood money.