One of the trucks involved in the horrific crash near Whakatāne that killed three road workers was so badly damaged it was left "opened up like a can of sardines".
The man accused of causing the deaths of three Rotorua Higgins workers has pleaded guilty to three charges of careless driving causing death in the Whakatāne District Court today.
In front of a gallery packed with family members of Haki Hiha, David Eparaima and Dudley Soul Raroa, a summary offacts was read before the court.
The summary said that on February 26 this year, David Cox was the driver of a Mitsubishi heavy truck on SH2.
"The defendant has accepted responsibility for causing the death of these three men," Judge Cameron said.
The three people killed in the horror crash worked for Higgins. Photo / George Novak
"I have raised with counsel the potential for a restorative justice conference and I urge you to take part.
"Experience shows it is a very effective process in some cases," the judge said.
He also stressed to whānau that careless driving causing death was one of the less serious charges in the court process despite a life being lost.
As well as the possibility of a restorative justice conference, Judge Mabey also asked for a pre-sentence report and a reparation report for sentencing.
Outside the court a sister of one of the dead men became very emotional.
Police said four trucks were involved in the February crash. Photo / George Novak
She was comforted outside the court.
Family talking outside the court could be heard saying they did not want any money, in relation to the reparation report.
The three men were killed on the Matatā straights of SH2, near Whakatāne while they worked to clear a culvert at the side of the road about 1.50pm on February 26.
