A 69-year-old woman has died after a suspected drink-driver hurtled into her car parked by a country road for a picnic, leaving her husband "too cut up" to talk.
Shelagh Cotter, from Te Horo, north of Wellington, was thrown 10m over a fence from the driver's seat, where she had sat with her legs out the door, enjoying coffee and muffins.
She died from severe head injuries in Palmerston North Hospital yesterday, 15 hours after the incident.
The suspected drink-driver, a 37-year-old Lower Hutt man, is due to appear in court later this month charged with drink-driving, with more serious charges likely to follow.
Mrs Cotter had got up early on Saturday to bake the muffins for a garden tour with good friend and neighbour Marilyn Jeffery (62). After a morning of garden visits, Mrs Cotter parked her brand-new car, a large Honda saloon, on a grass verge on Old Hautere Rd, behind others on the tour.
Four of the tour's 13 gardens were along the quiet, country road.
Mrs Jeffery sat on grass by Mrs Cotter's car, about to have a cup of coffee, when she heard a car blasting around the corner.
She stood up and saw the driver lose control and the car careen towards them. It smashed into the back of Mrs Cotter's car, which rammed Mrs Jeffery into a farm fence.
She was knocked out and woke up heavily bruised, her sternum cracked and teeth chipped.
Mrs Cotter was out of sight, bleeding after being flung to the other side of the fence, with doctors who happened to be on the tour giving her emergency treatment.
Mrs Cotter's car was demolished.
The suspected drink-driver was nearby, but Mrs Jeffery said he ignored her as she called out for help. He tested three times over the legal drink-drive limit.
The women were rushed to Palmerston North Hospital.
Family gathered from all around the country to support the two women.
David Cotter was devastated by his wife's death.
Mrs Jeffery's husband, Don, said the family was extremely upset and had put up a barrier.
Mrs Jeffery, meanwhile, has come home from hospital battered but able to get around.
"She's very, very tired and very, very bruised," Mr Jeffery said.
His family were angry at the driver who had killed their "dearly loved" neighbour.
"I just can't believe someone could do that - drive so carelessly. It's such a peaceful area. They were having a beautiful day. He destroyed that," Mr Jeffery said.
"In the coming days, we will follow it up through the courts to make sure justice is done."
He wanted to keep pushing the message that drink-driving could cause devastation, he said.
An investigation into the crash is being carried out by local police and the Serious Crash Investigation Unit.
