A woman whose leg was badly injured by an alleged hit-and-run driver had just moved to Auckland to start a new life.
But now, weeks after shifting from Wellington, 36-year-old Lynette Kilmartin says her life may never be the same.
"I was after a whole new beginning and I certainly got that," she said.
Ms Kilmartin remembers nothing of the accident on Ponsonby Rd last week, and has seen only a photo of her leg, which is heavily bandaged.
Doctors told the avid gym-goer they would not be able to say how well her leg would mend until after she had more surgery.
She said a heavy dosage of painkillers was helping to quell the throbbing.
The night of the crash began as a quiet dinner and drinks with a few mates, but carried on later than expected. "It was just impromptu and it turned into a really good night."
The last thing she remembers is stepping out of the taxi that Friday morning. "One minute I'm talking to the driver and the next I'm being raced to hospital."
But she bears no ill will. "Absolutely not, accidents happen, don't they. He wouldn't have thought, 'I'm going to go out and hit someone who has just moved here and wants a whole new life and stuff it up for her'."
A 22-year-old forecourt attendant from the North Shore has been remanded on bail after being charged in the Auckland District Court with reckless driving causing injury and failing to ascertain injury after a crash.
Road injury shatters a new start
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