Boy racer to pay $35,000 to family

The boy racer who lost control of his car, hitting and killing West Auckland mother Karen Jolly, will refinance his house to pay her family $35,000 in reparation.

Karen Jolly in her Honda Accord, Travis Green in his Mazda 323 and Kok Kie driving his Toyota MRS were strangers on May 7 this year.

Green threw down the gauntlet on Great North Rd about 6.30pm, Kie grabbed it at speeds of up to 130km/h and Mrs Jolly sat at the Waikumete Hill intersection in Glen Eden oblivious.

The 44-year-old was waiting to turn from Awaroa Rd, near the cemetery, on to Great North Road when they met, Kie's car slamming into hers, Green allegedly speeding off.

She died in hospital three days later.

Green, 20, has pleaded not guilty to street racing causing Mrs Jolly's death, failing to stop and failing to render assistance.

In the Waitakere District Court yesterday Kie, 38, was sentenced to two years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to street racing causing death, laid under the new boy racer legislation introduced in 2003, and stood in the dock with tears streaming down his face.

Judge Lisa Tremewan gave him leave to apply for home detention and disqualified him from driving for three years.

He has agreed to re-finance his house to pay Mrs Jolly's family $35,000, but her former husband, Paul Gillam, and her partner at the time of her death, Ron Paul, say the sentence was light.

Mr Gillam, who met Kie at a restorative justice conference where the money was offered, said the sentence did not reflect changes in the law designed to come down hard on boy racers.

"It is not worth Karen's life," he says. The money Kie offered felt like "blood money".

"He asked me for my forgiveness [at the conference]. I said I could accept his apology but I could never forgive him."

Their 14-year-old son Michael struggles with his mother's death and did not go to the sentencing yesterday.

"He has been to the cemetery a couple of times but he doesn't like going there."

They drive past the corner often.

"It's hard because you can't help but look there. It shows what a moment's madness can do."

Mr Paul said the law, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a $20,000 fine, should make sentences for boy racers tougher.

"It's a virus. Everyone is affected, the police, ambulance officers, family and friends, but there is no pill you can take for it," Mr Paul said.

Crown prosecutor Debra Bell said Mrs Jolly's death had left her family no joy in life.

Kie's lawyer, Michael Lloyd, said while Kie had his life, Mrs Jolly's death would play on his conscience for the rest of it.

In a letter to her family presented to the court, Kie said he often had nightmares about the crash.

"I am praying every day for God to bless her in heaven and I am also praying to her and you for forgiveness."

Judge Tremewan gave Kie credit for his guilty plea, previous good record and his remorse.

"He [Green] and his mates indicated to you that you were being challenged to a drag race, which you stupidly took up with tragic consequences," she said.

She directed that $14,000 go to settling Mrs Jolly's affairs, $20,000 to the Jolly family and the balance to go to her son.

"Society does not tolerate and should not have to tolerate boy racing taking place on public roads. It is entirely objectionable driving and, as we have seen, poses risks to innocent members of the public just so the participants can show off to each other."