Crash driver ordered to pay $4600 for lost limb

File photo / NZ Herald

A man who lost his arm in a vehicle crash last year is to receive $4600 from the driver.

The Westport District Court was told yesterday that Christopher Garing, 26, a farmer from Larrys Creek, had been drinking with his friend Kori Stanger last June when the pair and Mr Stanger's partner decided to drive home in foggy, rainy conditions.

in Inangahua, Garing had lost control of the vehicle, went over a 4m culvert and smashed into a deer fence.

Mr Stanger's arm had been sliced off above the elbow on the fence.

Mr Garing's breath alcohol reading wasn't over the legal limit.

Defence lawyer Doug Taffs said the accident was a tragedy caused by an error of judgment by both the driver and everyone who chose to get into the vehicle.

Garing's remorse was very genuine, said Mr Taffs.

Garing had visited his friend in hospital, but their friendship had deteriorated.

He had taken the responsible decision to plead guilty to a charge of aggravated careless driving.

"He bitterly regrets the decision he made to drive and the inattention that caused him to crash," said Mr Taffs.

Judge Emma Smith said she believed Garing's remorse was genuine and all three people in the car had contributed to the accident, but "you and you alone were the driver and were responsible for maiming permanently for life your victim".

She ordered him to pay $1000 to Mr Stanger for emotional harm, $3600 reparation and disqualified him from driving for 14 months.