Fatal crash driver to pay $5k

LAPSE LED TO DEATH: Dasheng Chen was ordered topay emotional-harm reparation for carelessly causing Shauna Leitch's death. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 140915WCSMCHEN2

The Wanganui man responsible for a crash which killed a woman has been ordered to pay emotional-harm reparation.

Dasheng Chen was sentenced to pay $5000 in reparation and disqualified from driving for two years. Chen, 55, had pleaded guilty to one charge of careless driving causing death and one charge of careless driving causing injury before he appeared in the Whanganui District Court yesterday for sentencing.

On February 16, Chen was driving on State Highway 3 near Waitotara when he crossed the centre line on an approach to a left-hand corner before colliding with an oncoming car. "The impact caused both vehicles to spring and come to a halt on opposite sides of the highway," Judge David Cameron said.

The driver of the other car, Shauna Leitch, of Whangarei, died at the scene and her husband suffered a broken knee.

"When spoken to by police, (Chen) was unable to explain how his car crossed the centre line of the highway."

Defence lawyer Jamie Waugh described it as as a "momentary lapse of attention".

"He's been driving in New Zealand for years without incident," Mr Waugh said. "He is genuinely remorseful."

Chen has attended a restorative justice conference which had been successful.

Judge Cameron said Mrs Leitch's husband suffered immense ongoing grief but had forgiven Chen. "(The family) do not want the defendant sent to jail for this offending," Judge Cameron said. "I need to hold Mr Chen accountable for his actions."

Chen was sentenced to pay $5000 emotional-harm reparation and was disqualified from driving for two years. He was remanded at large to reappear on September 21 for the court to check if the payment had been made. Chen will be resentenced if it has not.