Cycle crash driver's sentencing delay

Nicholas James Dryland appears in the Hamilton District Court this morning. His sentencing will be delayed until after a restorative justice meeting with his victim's family. Photo / Alan Gibson

A man charged with causing the death of a cyclist and injuring two of his riding buddies near Hamilton last month will reappear in court later this year for sentencing after a restorative justice session with his victim's family.

Nicholas James Dryland appeared at the Hamilton District Court this morning having entered a guilty plea to a charge of aggravated careless use of a motor vehicle by illegally overtaking, causing the death of cyclist Craig Goulsbro on July 1.

He was to be sentenced today but though his lawyer Thomas Sutcliffe sought a restorative justice session with the victims of the accident.

Judge Rosemary Riddell adjourned his sentencing to October 11.

Dryland also pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated careless use of a motor vehicle, causing injury to William Donaldson and Christopher Smith.

A summary of facts revealed Dryland thought he was overtaking a small number of cyclists on Puketaha Road.

But he misjudged his manouver and pulled back into the group of cyclists to avoid oncoming traffic.

The collision saw Mr Goulsbro collide with the left pillar of Dryland's windscreen causing him a major head injury.

The 22-year-old, whose Gordonton home is less than 1km from the crash scene on Puketaha Rd, is also facing two charges of careless driving causing injury to Mr Goulsbro's riding mates William Donaldson and Christopher Smith.

Dryland's vehicle spun 180 degrees after the accident.

Mr Goulsbro, a 49-year-old father of one, died two days after the accident.

He was with a group of friends on a 46km ride that coincided with the second anniversary of the opening of their friend's cycle store.