Fatal crash driver pleads guilty

GUILTY PLEA: A man has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Masterton woman Shirley Mareikura (Kizzy), who was killed when she was thrown from a car on SH2 near Mt Bruce in May. PHOTO/FILE

A man accused of careless driving causing the death of Shirley Mareikura has pleaded guilty.

Daniel Lloyd Sawkins, 25, appeared in Masterton District Court on Thursday and entered a guilty plea through lawyer Jock Blathwayt.

Ms Mareikura, 44, known as Kizzy, died on May 20 after being thrown from the Toyota Starlet which Sawkins was driving near Mt Bruce.

Police prosecutor Jodie Lawrence said as Sawkins drove north on State Highway 2 at about 7pm, he became distracted by his mobile phone falling down under the front passenger seat.

While he was trying to retrieve the phone, the car drifted to the left hand side of the the road and struck the bank, causing the vehicle to veer back across the road and roll on to its roof.

Ms Mareikura, who was in the front passenger seat, was ejected through the passenger window and on to the road.

She sustained life-threatening injuries and, despite the efforts of passing drivers to provide first aid, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sawkins, who had scrambled from the wreckage and called emergency services, was taken to Wairarapa Hospital with minor bruising and abrasions but was released later the same night.

Ms Lawrence said Sawkins had shown remorse for his actions.

Judge Peter Hobbs remanded him at large to appear for sentencing on December 10.