Wrong-way death driver had stroke five years ago

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Friends of the elderly driver who drove the wrong way down the Northwestern Motorway killing himself and his wife say he should not have been driving after suffering a stroke five years ago and because he did not have a licence.

The Tuakau community is in shock over the deaths of Ewen Charles Donaldson, 86, and Dulce Maria Donaldson, aged in her 60s, who had lived in the small Franklin town for several years. It is understood the pair had driven to West Auckland to attend a line-dancing event on Saturday. They entered the motorway on the Te Atatu offramp and travelled for about 1km before crashing into six cars.

Mrs Donaldson, who was Filipino, was killed instantly when her body was hurled through the windscreen, landing under a 4WD. Her husband died in hospital on Sunday night. Several others were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A local couple, who did not want to be named, had known the pair for about 15 years and said Mr Donaldson had suffered a stroke about five years ago and was prone to dizzy spells.

Police have said he was suffering from several medical conditions and his licence had expired in 2007.

"Ewen should never have been driving after 70," the husband said. "He should never have been behind the wheel. He was totally bamboozled. I think age just caught up with them."

The man said he believed Mr Donaldson's health had deteriorated recently.

The friends said Mr Donaldson, a former government deer culler, was a quiet man who was always out in his garden, taking pride in his feijoa and apple trees. It is understood his wife, who was often seen out walking, had worked as a teacher and had adopted a daughter, her sister's child, who now lives in Holland. It is understood the couple did not have any other family.

Several Tuakau retailers described Mrs Donaldson, a petite woman, as "lovely" and said she always had a smile on her face.

Amcal pharmacy retail manager Frances Rastovich had served her for the past 12 years.

"She was so cheerful. She always came in for her dark brown hair dye and make-up. She really looked after her appearance and asked for our advice on what were the best brands, what was good for her skin. She was always really neat and tidy.

"And she remembered all of our names."

Ms Rastovich said Mr Donaldson usually sat in the car while his wife shopped at the chemist, sometimes picking up medication for him.

The Baker's House owner Ruth Oddom said Mrs Donaldson often came in for chocolate and passionfruit-flavoured muffins. She would end up staying for up to half an hour chatting.

"Every time she came in she said 'Do you remember my name?' I said 'Of course Dulce'. She told me she always remembered names because she had to remember her students names in her class."

The couple often travelled to various dance events, friends said.

Police said yesterday the serious crash unit was still investigating how Mr Donaldson came to be driving the wrong way on the motorway.

The Automobile Association is calling for the return of government-funded courses for elderly drivers following the crash. The Safe With Age course was cut because off the lack of people signed up for it.