Hit and run driver claimed car stolen

Rute Tuinukuafe

The driver of the car that hit a Sandringham toddler, flipping him in the air and leaving him lying on the road seriously injured, told police when they found her that her vehicle had been stolen.

Melia Blackwood pleaded guilty to failing to stop and ascertain injury, and making a false statement, when she appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday.

Police have confirmed the 23-year-old consultant, who works for a nursing agency, told them about six days after the hit-and-run that her car had been stolen.

About 7pm on October 15, Joseph Tuinukuafe, aged 2, was hit by Blackwood at the intersection of Pine St and Oxton Rd, Sandringham.

He had wandered outside while his uncle, who was looking after him, tended to a sick baby.

Witnesses said it was a miracle the little boy was not killed.

He suffered head injuries, cuts, bruising, liver damage and a torn thumb which required surgery in the Starship.

Blackwood will be sentenced on February 15 and hopes to meet Joseph's family at a restorative justice conference.

She told the Herald yesterday that it was an accident and she did not see the little boy.

"There wasn't enough time for me to brake, unfortunately for me and Joseph," Blackwood said.

Asked why she did not stop, she said she went into shock and panicked.

"I didn't know it was a little boy until I read the papers the next day."

Joseph's mother Rute made a public appeal after her son was hit, asking for the driver to come forward.

Police found Blackwood about six days after the accident, and when they questioned her she told them her vehicle had been stolen.

Police later confirmed it was Blackwood driving.

Yesterday, defence lawyer Annabel Ives asked for Blackwood's name suppression to continue because she worked in the health sector, in the business of caring for people and serving the public, and her employer was concerned about her name being published.

Blackwood has been taken off a permanent contract at the agency and placed on a casual one following the charges.

Judge Sarah Fleming said they were not special reasons for name suppression to continue.

Rute Tuinukuafe told the Herald she would like to meet Blackwood at a restorative justice conference before her sentencing.

"I want to see what she expresses in her eyes."

She said her son was not the same after the accident and was still having physiotherapy and speech therapy.

"He's changed, his personality has changed too. He's not the Joseph I knew before the accident."

Joseph's aunt Annie Takie said the family were angry and disappointed.

"We have to live with Joseph - she doesn't."