Guilty pleas over fatal Masterton crash

PLEADED: Whakatane man Shane William Hart has pleaded guilty to charges relating to an accident last year which killed Masterton woman Shannon Buick.

Shane William Hart did not realise he had crossed the centre line on a rainy night last August when his car slammed head-on into a car being driven by Shannon Buick.

The 22-year-old Masterton woman was killed instantly in the crash on Paierau Rd on August 30 and her 16-year-old sister Kaitlin was seriously injured.

Through defence lawyer Phillip Drummond, Hart, 24, of Whakatane, pleaded guilty to one charge of careless driving causing death and one charge of careless driving causing injury when he appeared before Judge Peter Butler in Masterton District Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said that about 6.15pm Shannon had picked up Kaitlin after work and they were heading home, travelling north along Paierau Rd.

As they passed Kibblewhite Rd, Shannon pulled the car to the left of the road in an attempt to avoid a collision with Hart's Volkswagen, which had crossed the centre line, the court heard.

Ms Lawrence said Shannon died instantly and Kaitlin received serious injuries.

Hart received minor injuries and was able to walk from his car but was taken to hospital for observation.

Kaitlin is having ongoing treatment for her injuries.

Hart told police he did not realise he had crossed the centre line until it was too late to avoid a collision with the oncoming car, Ms Lawrence said.

"He couldn't understand why he was on the wrong side of the road."

Mr Drummond requested his client be given the chance to undertake a restorative justice meeting with the Buick family.

He also asked that a pre-sentence report be completed to assist the court at sentencing.

Judge Butler referred the case to Restorative Justice and remanded Hart at large to reappear on May 12 for sentencing.