Coast driver admits killing cyclist

Wellington
A West Coast woman admits she fell asleep at the wheel and killed a cyclist at the end of a long drive to Christchurch which followed being up all night.
Elina Vakarewa Macilquham, a 63-year-old night shift factory worker from Ngahere, will meet the family of the woman cyclist she killed before she is sentenced on November 10.
She pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today to a charge of reckless driving causing the death of Cathryn May Carr, who was out on a training ride on April 3 — Easter Saturday — along the Old West Coast Road near Yaldhurst.
Defence counsel Neville Higgison said after the appearance that Macilquham was completely unable to express the sorrow she felt for the victims, though she would eventually do so at the restorative justice meeting that was being arranged.
“It’s an utter tragedy. The defendant feels she has handed herself a life sentence,” Mr Higgison said. “It will be with her for the rest of her life.”
Police prosecutor sergeant Paul Brocas said the accident happened at 11.37am on a straight stretch of sealed road, on a day that was sunny and calm.
As Macilquham’s car caught up with the cyclist from behind, she failed to pull out and pass her and ran into the back of the bicycle. Ms Carr, 51, was thrown on to the bonnet and windscreen before being flung into the air and landing on the road.
Macilquham stopped with the cycle lodged under the front of the car.
Ms Carr received serious head injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance for intensive medical treatment, but she died two days later.
Mr Brocas said: “The defendant freely admitted the facts and stated in explanation that she had gone to sleep while driving as she had been up all night worrying about sick family members and had driven to Christchurch from the West Coast to visit one of them.”
Judge Michael Crosbie remanded Macilquham on bail for sentence and ordered a probation report which will consider her suitability for home detention. Police have already handed the judge victim impact statements from the victim’s family.
“It is the court’s view that this is an appropriate matter for a restorative justice conference to take place,” the judge said.