Dalbert Tin (29) was driving a rental car towards central Queenstown in Frankton Rd, when it crossed the centreline, struck a motorcyclist and hit Mrs Tait’s car head on.
Mrs Tait died at the scene, the motorcyclist, Glen Cherry, of Cromwell, sustained serious leg injuries and Tin’s wife — who was sleeping in the passenger seat — was also hurt.
Tin pleaded guilty to three charges when he appeared before Judge Russell Walker in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.
They are careless driving causing Mrs Tait’s death, careless driving causing injury to Mr Cherry and careless driving causing injury to Mei Chiee Koo (30).
Prosecuting Constable Dan Andrew said Tin was driving a rental car at 70kmh, when he crossed the centre line and into the path of Mr Cherry, who "took evasive action by turning hard left". A lack of space between Tin’s car and the roadside bank meant Mr Cherry could not avoid a collision. Tin’s car struck him on the right leg, causing him to somersault over his handlebars on to the road.
Mrs Tait died at the scene.
Ms Koo (30) was thrown forwards, sustaining leg injuries and abdominal pain.
The defendant told police he "did not know why he was in the opposite lane", Const Andrew said.
Judge Walker continued Tin’s bail and remanded him for sentencing on February 10.
His counsel, Louise Denton, pushed for a restorative justice meeting at the earliest opportunity, saying the defendant preferred that the money he was spending on accommodation go to the victim.
Tin is visiting New Zealand with his wife on a tourist visa. His address is given on court documents as a Queenstown hotel.
The maximum penalty on the charges is three months’ imprisonment, or a $4500 fine.
- The first appearance in court of the driver of a bus and trailer that crashed near Queenstown a week ago, causing two Chinese passengers to lose parts of their arms, was adjourned until February 24.
The 32-year-old Christchurch man was driving the bus with 22 tourists on board, when it rolled on to its side on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road on Tuesday last week.
He has been charged with careless driving causing injury, and four charges of dangerous driving causing injury.
