Woman charged after boy, 8, was killed in crash at roadworks

James Crous died at the scene after the Mazda he was travelling in struck a SUV queued at a roadworks site on Hawke's Bay Expressway on April 21. Photo / Facebook

A Hastings woman has been charged with causing the death of an 8-year-old boy after a crash involving traffic queued at roadworks this year.

James Crous, 8, died at the scene after the Mazda he was travelling in struck a SUV queued at roadworks on Hawke's Bay Expressway on April 21.

His mother, Kim Crous, 38, appeared in Napier District Court today facing two charges of dangerous driving causing injury and one charge of dangerous driving causing death.

The case was adjourned to November 2.

Kim Crous and a younger sister were taken to hospital after the crash.

A woman and her two children, one 11 years old and one 11 months old were in the SUV at the time. They were taken to hospital but released shortly afterwards.

James' family's pastor Derik Kotze earlier summed up the bright youngster by saying "he really put his soul into everything". Kotze said they were "a beautiful family" and James was friendly and always willing to help.

He said James enjoyed soccer, loved Lego and was home-schooled. The pastor had visited the family every day since the tragedy.

The South African family moved to New Zealand nine years ago. Following the crash, friends they'd met in their homeland started up a Go Fund Me page - similar to Give a Little - so the couple's friends around the world could donate money.

Roz Lee and Mariota Essery now live in the US, but had known James' mother, Kim, for "well over 20 years - and consider them family".

After the crash, a number of locals raised concerns about lack of signs in the area warning motorists of the temporary 30km/h zone.