The driver, David Mascelle, who had a charge of careless driving causing death laid against him as a result of the accident dropped last year, gave evidence at the final day of the inquest yesterday.
The 48-year-old was asked why he did not stop to ascertain what his vehicle had struck on Marychurch Rd about 4.40am as he turned his Ford Falcon's air conditioning on.
His wife, community magistrate Ngaire Mascelle, had earlier told the inquest she thought Mr Hoskins' body was a crate or a box.
Mr Mascelle spent a little more than two minutes checking his vehicle for damage and said he saw local man Campbell Primmer at the scene with his hazard lights on and thought he was "taking care of it".
Crown lawyer Philip Crayton said Mr Primmer may himself have been injured, but Mr Mascelle did not check on him or aid him.
"He didn't come to my aid either," said Mr Mascelle.
Mr Crayton continued: "For all you knew, Mr Primmer may have had an accident also with less fortunate consequences - and you still don't go back to investigate? Why not?"
"At that time I made a judgment on the information I had before me and right now it's the wrong judgment but that's the judgment I made," said Mr Mascelle.
Coroner Garry Evans asked Mr Mascelle if a "natural anxiety" on his part to deliver a consignment of windows to Wellington over-rode his obligation to check what had happened.
Mr Mascelle said he was aware motorists must render assistance to those injured in an accident they're involved in but "it didn't spring to mind at the time".
Shortly before reserving his findings Mr Evans said to Mr Mascelle "a chain of assumptions in relation to various elements constituted this very sad tale".
William Hoskins' aunt Jenny Cowley said outside court Mr Mascelle appeared remorseful, "probably more than his wife did".
She said police should look at charging Mr Mascelle for towing a trailer that had faulty brakes, side-front lights and wheel bearings and had been unwarranted for more than six months.
