KEY POINTS:
The family of a young delivery man killed by a speeding car feel any penalty handed down to the two drivers charged with his death cannot make up for their loss.
Howick resident Aaron Chan died last week when a Nissan Skyline smashed into a truck he was unloading with his brother-in-law about 6.30pm on West Coast Rd, Glen Eden. Chan was thrown through the windscreen of the truck, his arm was severed, and he died within minutes.
Reports have claimed the Nissan appeared to be travelling alongside a Subaru WRX moments before the crash, and the occupants of the vehicles may have been fighting further up the road.
Two men - Warren Hughes, 28, of Whangaparaoa and Dion Wells, 35, of New Lynn - have been charged with reckless driving causing death.
Hughes is in custody, while Wells was remanded on bail; Wells' mother told the Herald on Sunday her son was a father to a young daughter, and was "not a boy-racer, he's a car enthusiast".
Members of the close-knit Chan family, who moved to Auckland from Hong Kong 15 years ago, have been too devastated to speak out since losing their youngest son and brother but yesterday they broke their silence, telling the Herald on Sunday they wanted to prevent others losing someone they loved because of reckless behaviour on the roads.
"We had a happy family. It is these people who ruined our lives," said Chan's older sister, Joey Chan, through Chinese language interpreter and National MP Pansy Wong, who attended the interview.
"The penalty may be only five years [in prison]. I feel that is so unfair to Aaron, who lost his life ... "
Sitting in their dining room, Chan's siblings were tearful and sat close together. A small memorial for their brother, with a photo of him, incense and food for his journey was set up in a neighbouring room for visitors to pay their respects.
"It is not easy for us to talk to the media, and Aaron was a very private person, but we are prepared to speak up in the hope that justice will be done."
Chan, who attended Howick College and studied mechanics at Unitec, was a caring and positive young man, his distraught family said. One of five children, he was loyal to his friends, respected his elders, and had plans for a happy life.
He worked with sister Joey, brother Henry, and brother-in-law Jacky Wong in a gifts and delivery business, and was delivering goods for the company when he was killed.
Wong was working with Chan on the night of the accident, and described how he heard a noisy car coming from behind the pair as they unloaded boxes. "The next minute, the car was rushing towards where Aaron was standing, and crashed into the corner of our truck."
Wong tried to find Chan, who had been thrown on to the bonnet of the Nissan as it skidded along the footpath. The Subaru crashed on the opposite side of the road.
Wong found his brother-in-law on the Nissan, and talked to him, but said he was not moving.
The Chan family rushed to the scene, but were upset to learn Chan's body had been removed before they could see him. Joey said they had to wait at Auckland Hospital for a long time, and were continually told to leave the hospital, before finally being allowed to see their brother.
A long-time friend of Chan, Tommy Lo, said Chan's friends had been missing him during the past week. Chan's funeral will be held tomorrow.
