A 20-year-old former Otago
Girls High School student has admitted causing the death of
her best friend in a road crash as they drove to New Zealand
Fashion Week.
Millie McCutcheon was driving her father's Alfa Romeo 146 on
State Highway 27 at Patetonga, in the Hauraki district, about
3.50pm on August 31 last year.
She failed to notice a truck and trailer unit in front of her
had slowed almost to a complete stop at the Tramline Rd
intersection and did not brake or take any evasive action.
As a result, the Alfa Romeo crashed into the rear of the
heavy trailer, prosecutor Sergeant Ross Hutton told the
Dunedin District Court yesterday.
The front seat passenger, Felicity Paige Wren, was severely
injured and died at the scene.
McCutcheon could not provide any explanation for her
inattention, Sgt Hutton said.
Alcohol was not a factor and she had held a driver's licence
for about three years.
She admitted a charge of careless driving causing the death
of Ms Wren and was remanded by Judge Michael Crosbie for
sentence next Tuesday.
Counsel Anne Stevens said the two young women were best
friends and had been flatting together and attending Massey
University for three years.
McCutcheon had attended Otago Girls' High School School, was
a good sportswoman and a surf lifesaver.
She was ''nothing but of good character'' and the death of
her friend had had a devastating effect on her, Mrs Stevens
said.
She wished to undergo a restorative justice meeting with the
dead woman's family.
