Reparation for crash victim's family

A Te Puke man has been ordered to pay $10,000 reparation for causing a fatal accident last year.

Ross Purcell, 70, was ordered by Rotorua District Court Judge James Weir to pay $10,000 reparation to the dead woman's family and was disqualified from driving for six months.

He earlier pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and three charges of careless driving causing injury.

Michelle Trueman, 34, was killed when the car driven by her husband, Charlie Trueman, was hit by Purcell's car.

Mr Trueman's sister, Beverley Trueman, who was also a passenger in the car, was also injured.

Purcell and his wife, Patricia, were heading home from Waipukurau on November 7 last year on the Napier-Taupo Highway.

About 3km west of the Waipunga Falls, Purcell failed to straighten the car after taking a sweeping right hand bend and his vehicle crossed the centre line.

Purcell and Mr Trueman both braked, locking their wheels, before their cars collided with the force of the impact hitting the passenger sides on both cars.

Mrs Trueman died at the scene. Mrs Purcell suffered serious injuries. She had to have her right leg amputated.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)