J
John Pitts
Guest
This is in relation to the crash which occurred in Newcastle a year ago.
The driver went straight through a tee intersection at the bottom of a
long steep hill, right into the bunch riding across on the other side of
the road. Several cyclists were severely injured.
From the Newcastle Morning Herald (I can't find this article online):
Driver fined over crash
by Donna Sharpe
A magistrate has described as "tragic" the case against a
75-year-old Belmont North woman who drove into a group of cyclists
last December, severely injuring four of them.
<stuff about this week's accident elided>
Sentencing [Genita] Radnidge in Belmont Local Court yesterday,
magistrate Michael Morahan said this was one of the most tragic
cases in which an elderly person should not have been driving.
"Some elderly people think it is their God-given right to drive,
irrespective of anything," he said.
Looking frail and using a walking stick, Radnidge faced the
court flanked by family, including her daughter.
She was charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm
at Eleebana on December 23, last year.
Mr Morahan told the court the offence carried a jail term. He fined
Radnidge $1000, disqualified her from driving for five years and
said he would recommend to the Roads and Traffic Authority that she
never again be issued with a driver's licence.
The court had previously heard the grandmother drove into the
cyclists on Tingira Road between 7.05am and 7.14am.
Cyclists Noel Davies, of Belmont, Michael Scott, of Valentine, David
Benn, of Marks Point and Steven O'Mara, of Tamworth, were injured in
the accident.
Defence barrister Peter Harper told the court his client had a clean
record and had no recollection of the accident.
"This is a most tragic situation and she has the most heartfelt
remorse in terms of care and concern for the victims," Mr Harper
said.
"She is reduced to tears on a daily basis and the nightmares
continue during the night and day."
Mr Morahan asked why Radnidge drove when she was aware of a medical
condition.
Mr Harper said there was a question over whether her medical
condition was made clear to Radnidge.
Mr Morahan told Radnidge she had caused horrendous injuries to other
people.
--
John
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your older self. - Terry Pratchett, "Thud!"
The driver went straight through a tee intersection at the bottom of a
long steep hill, right into the bunch riding across on the other side of
the road. Several cyclists were severely injured.
From the Newcastle Morning Herald (I can't find this article online):
Driver fined over crash
by Donna Sharpe
A magistrate has described as "tragic" the case against a
75-year-old Belmont North woman who drove into a group of cyclists
last December, severely injuring four of them.
<stuff about this week's accident elided>
Sentencing [Genita] Radnidge in Belmont Local Court yesterday,
magistrate Michael Morahan said this was one of the most tragic
cases in which an elderly person should not have been driving.
"Some elderly people think it is their God-given right to drive,
irrespective of anything," he said.
Looking frail and using a walking stick, Radnidge faced the
court flanked by family, including her daughter.
She was charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm
at Eleebana on December 23, last year.
Mr Morahan told the court the offence carried a jail term. He fined
Radnidge $1000, disqualified her from driving for five years and
said he would recommend to the Roads and Traffic Authority that she
never again be issued with a driver's licence.
The court had previously heard the grandmother drove into the
cyclists on Tingira Road between 7.05am and 7.14am.
Cyclists Noel Davies, of Belmont, Michael Scott, of Valentine, David
Benn, of Marks Point and Steven O'Mara, of Tamworth, were injured in
the accident.
Defence barrister Peter Harper told the court his client had a clean
record and had no recollection of the accident.
"This is a most tragic situation and she has the most heartfelt
remorse in terms of care and concern for the victims," Mr Harper
said.
"She is reduced to tears on a daily basis and the nightmares
continue during the night and day."
Mr Morahan asked why Radnidge drove when she was aware of a medical
condition.
Mr Harper said there was a question over whether her medical
condition was made clear to Radnidge.
Mr Morahan told Radnidge she had caused horrendous injuries to other
people.
--
John
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your older self. - Terry Pratchett, "Thud!"