Paige Johnson manslaughter-accused Riki Lum appears in Hamilton court

A man accused of causing the death of Paige Johnson (inset) in Rotorua has appeared in the Hamilton District Court. Photo / Ben Fraser

A 31-year-old Hamilton man accused of causing the death of deaf and blind cancer survivor Paige Johnson in a Rotorua hit-and-run has made his first appearance in court.

Riki Ronald Edward Lum appeared in the Hamilton District Court just after 3pm today before Judge Garry Collin, facing three charges.

According to charge sheets obtained by the Herald, Rotorua Police allege Lum caused Johnson’s death by driving a motorcycle dangerously, thereby committing manslaughter.

Police also accused Lum of failing to render assistance after the incident and driving while disqualified for a third time.

The maximum penalty for the manslaughter charge is life imprisonment.

Paige Johnson, 24, died after an alleged hit-and-run on Edmund Rd in Rotorua.

Police arrested Lum at a Hamilton address on Wednesday.

Lum’s defence lawyer Fraser King did not seek bail.

No plea was entered. Lum’s supporters were among the 12 people in the public gallery.

“Love you, babe,” one woman said as Lum was led away.

Johnson, 24, died three days after he was allegedly struck by a motorcyclist as he tried to cross Edmund Rd in Rotorua after going to Four Square Edmund Road on June 15.

Flowers at the pedestrian crossing on Edmund Rd in Rotorua where Paige Johnson, 24, died on June 11. Photo / Ben Fraser

Police alleged a motorcyclist overtook a car stopped at the pedestrian crossing before colliding with Johnson, then did a 180-degree turn and drove past him lying on the road before driving off.

Johnson suffered brain cancer as a youngster and had recently found independence by moving into a rental by himself, his family said.

A large team of police combed the Western Heights area after the incident and a public appeal involving the release of several CCTV images followed, along with descriptions of a suspect and bike.

Lum is next scheduled to appear in the High Court at Rotorua on July 11.

He was remanded in custody until that date.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.