Widower slams sentence for careless driver

John Young had led a "blameless" life with a clean driving record until one day last April when he failed to give way at a notorious intersection and caused a three-car crash that killed a Thames woman.

The intersection of Brigham Creek Rd, Totara Rd and Mamari Rd in Whenuapai was identified as a key crash site months before the April 18 tragedy that killed 60-year-old Ruth Beverly Redwood.

She died instantly when Young's Toyota Landcruiser ploughed into the Hilux she and husband Brian Redwood were in.

Since her death three large stop signs, a raised traffic island and clearly painted road markings have been added after fierce lobbying from residents.

Young, 81, pleaded guilty immediately to careless driving causing death and careless driving causing injury.

At his sentencing in the Waitakere District Court yesterday, his lawyer, Alex Witten-Hannah, said Young was "powerless to express his anguish ... and the suffering he's been going through".

"He said to me ... 'the accident ruined my life [but] I know it has ruined others' much more'."

The lawyer said Young had been "lulled into a false sense of security by the road".

He asked Judge Lisa Tremewan to be "merciful" when setting the disqualification period because Young, as an elderly man, would feel the loss more than a younger person would.

He asked for a substantial fine to be imposed as well as a smaller stand-down period, but emphasised Young did not want to "buy his penance".

Judge Tremewan said there were markings on the road but they were not clear, however there was signage to indicate he had to give way.

However, a driver might be "misled" by the road's configuration and she was pleased the intersection had been changed.

The judge said Young was entitled to call on his good record and "blameless" life. She sentenced him to 12 months' disqualification from driving and ordering him to pay Mr Redwood $10,000 reparation for emotional harm.

Mr Redwood told the Herald a figure of $10,000 on his wife's life was like "a slap with a wet bus ticket once again".

"The law in my opinion is a disgrace in this case and in others. It has destroyed my life, my three kids are finding it tough, there are grandchildren involved."

The loss of his wife of 40 years hit him hard, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.

He said they had worked all their lives to retire on their Thames property but now he is unsure if he will stay. Mr Redwood knew Young would not go to jail but does not think he should get his licence back.