Judge reserves crash decision

DEFENDANT: Eamonn Woods.

A judge has reserved his decision on an application to dismiss the case against Eamonn Mathew Woods, 29, of careless driving causing the death of Laura Jessop in May last year.

Woods was not required to appear in Masterton District Court on Thursday as his lawyer, Noel Sainsbury, applied to dismiss the charge, citing lack of evidence.

The single car crash occurred on the Castlepoint Road on May 25 at about 7pm, and caused the death of Jessop, 19.

Mr Sainsbury's arguments before Judge Chris Tuohy centred on whether the Crown had sufficient evidence to prove Woods had been the driver, as both occupants had been thrown from the vehicle in the crash.

Judge Tuohy adjourned the case overnight and yesterday remanded Woods until August 7, saying he would present his written decision "much earlier".

On the night of the crash, the car had been heading into Masterton when the driver lost control and the vehicle crossed over into the opposing lane before rolling along a stretch of roadside ditch for about 40 to 50m.

Jessop was thrown from the car into the ditch and Woods was hurled into a nearby paddock, both ending up about 10m from where the car eventually stopped.

Passersby and paramedics performed CPR on Jessop, who died later at Wairarapa Hospital.

Woods, who was seriously injured in the crash, was transported by Life Flight rescue helicopter to Wellington Hospital.