Woman admits careless driving causing death

A 21-year-old hospitality worker has admitted hitting and killing a motorcyclist on a west Auckland road last August.

Holly Elizabeth Hodge pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing death, failing to stop and ascertain injury following a crash and driving while forbidden when she appeared at Waitakere District Court on February 5.

The charges stemmed from an incident on August 20 last year.

According to the police summary of facts, Hodge was driving her Mazda around 6.50am on State Highway 16 in Waimauku, heading towards Helensville.

At the time, David Jenner was riding his Suzuki motorbike in the other direction towards Auckland.

Hodge then crossed the centre line onto the other side of the road near the intersection of Wintour Rd and narrowly missed an oncoming vehicle which swerved to avoid a collision.

She then collided head-on with Mr Jenner on his motorbike, the police summary of facts stated.

"The defendant continued in her badly damaged vehicle for approximately 150 metres where she then stopped the vehicle near to the intersection of Factory Rd, then locked it and made off on foot.

"At the time she did not return to the crash scene to ascertain if the victim had been injured or killed as a result of the collision."

It was raining at the time of the crash and Mr Jenner died at the scene.

Hodge was forbidden to drive on July 31, 2009, however has no previous convictions. She is due to be sentenced on May 30.

- By Brendan Manning of APNZ

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