Text message blamed for road accident

A message on a driver's cellphone has been blamed for an accident which left a 76-year-old woman with punctured lungs and a smashed pelvis on a pedestrian crossing after his van skidded into her.

Masterton farm worker Benjamin Riddiford's cellphone, which was lying on the passenger's seat as he drove along Chapel Street, beeped a message as he was driving, a court heard yesterday.

Riddiford, 18, was convicted by Judge Tom Broadmore of careless driving causing injury and fined $1000 and disqualified for six months. Half the fine was to be paid to the victim.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said that about 8am on Sunday, January 15, this year, Riddiford was driving north on Chapel Street in his Mitsubishi van. As he approached the pedestrian crossing at the intersection Chapel and Jackson streets, his cellphone beeped on the passenger's seat.

He said the defendant looked over at the phone and when he looked back at the road, he saw an elderly woman on the crossing.

He braked heavily, which caused the wheels to lock and skid, but could not avoid the victim, who was struck with the left front of the van, sustaining multiple injuries.

Riddiford's lawyer, Peter Stevens, said it was his first offence of any kind, no alcohol was involved and he had immediately rung for emergency services, had made the victim comfortable and comforted her while waiting for the ambulance.

He said Riddiford's remorse had been sincere and genuine, and while the woman was in hospital he had sent her flowers, written a letter of apology and inquired regularly about her progress. He also offered to mow lawns and do gardening for the family.

Judge Broadmore told Riddiford the victim's life was ruined and "nothing I can do or you can do can make it right".

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE