NZ Transport Agency highway manager who caused fatal crash signed off on removal of barrier

Name suppression lapsed today for NZ Transport Agency highway manager David McGongial.

A roading official who fatally struck a woman on a mobility scooter signed off on the removal of a barrier at the crash spot.

Name suppression lapsed today for NZ Transport Agency highway manager David McGongial, Fairfax reported.

He has undertaken the role of media spokesman, including for the 2011 Manawatu Gorge closure.

At his trial before a judge, with no jury, McGonigal was found guilty of careless driving causing the death of Levin woman Marie Hall.

He was discharged without conviction.

Ms Hall died in March 2015 when she was riding her mobility scooter along Oxford St, the town's main thoroughfare and part of State Highway 1, and was struck by a transport agency vehicle driven by McGonigal.

He was driving out of the Horowhenua District Council building on a stretch of road that previously had a barrier in the middle.

But the barrier was removed before the crash and during his trial McGonigal said his team made the decision to get rid of it, Fairfax reported.

A sign at the carpark exit indicated people should turn left, but McGonigal turned right and struck the scooter.

In court, he said the sign was a leftover from when there was a barrier in place and he thought it was safe for him to turn.

Ms Hall's daughter supported McGonigal getting a discharge and permanent name suppression, but Judge Gregory Ross declined to keep the official's name secret.