Rhonda Grace, 74, died when she was hit by a car in a car park on State Highway 16 near Kumeu on September 7, 2017. Photo / Supplied
Rhonda Grace, 74, died when she was hit by a car in a car park on State Highway 16 near Kumeu on September 7, 2017. Photo / Supplied
An 82-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the death of Rhonda Grace, a pedestrian killed in a carpark in Kumeu last year.
A woman has been charged with the careless operation of a vehicle causing death, after Grace, 74, was hit at a property on State Highway 16on September 7.
The woman is due to appear in the Waitakere District Court on Tuesday February 13.
The maximum penalty that could be imposed is up to three months' jail or a fine of up to $4500. The court would also order the person to be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver's licence for six months or more.
Thomas Grace, Rhonda's husband of 52 years, told the Herald he was not happy about the charges.
Police at the scene of an accident on State Highway 16 where Rhonda Grace was hit and killed by a car in a carpark. Photo / Nick Reed
Thomas said he was working on an impact statement to give to the court.
"This just won't achieve anything and I don't want her screwed over.
"It is a bad dose of the wrong reaction - sticking it in reverse and instead of standing on the brake, you stand on the gas. It was that simple and it is not the first time it has happened."
Grace died after she was struck by a car in a commercial carpark off SH16 about 2.50pm on September 7.
She was helping family of old friends, a couple who had died, clean out the home and adjoining flower business, so it could be put on the market.
While Grace, who lived in nearby Helensville, was helping out, a customer came calling to buy orchids but was told they weren't for sale.
It is not known exactly what happened next but shortly afterwards she was hit by a car and died at the scene.
Grace was the mother of three daughters, and a grandmother to eight grandchildren.
Robyn Grace earlier told the Herald her mother was very active in the community and very generous with her time and energy.
"She was an incredibly strong person and always doing things for other people."
She had made a long-standing contribution to both GirlGuiding New Zealand and the Helensville & District Historical Society, and her love of gardening saw her join a gardening club.
"She was also very passionate about her grandchildren. They were a big deal," Robyn said.
She said her mother was "a very hard-working farmer's wife", who lived all her life in the Helensville area.
The sudden death was devastating for the family.
"My mother was a tall, strong woman with red hair who I can't imagine anything being able to stop her.
"It is one of those things where I keep trying to remind myself that accidents happen. It feels unbelievable."
