Texts before crash denied

A Carterton woman accused of texting while driving pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of 16-year-old Tegan Moyes.

Amanda Jane Rose, 18, appeared in the Masterton District Court yesterday and disputed police allegations she was texting at the time of the incident.

Miss Moyes, a former Chanel College student, from Carterton, received head and spinal injuries when thrown from the car that rolled on the southern approach to the Opaki overbridge soon after 3pm on February 21. She was flown to Wellington Hospital, where she died of her injuries on February 24.

Ms Rose received minor injuries in the crash.

A disputed-facts hearing will be held on August 12 to decide whether Rose was texting. Her attendance will be excused on that day.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said Rose denied texting.

"The defendant is certain she was not texting," Mr Blathwayt said.

Her guilty plea had been entered on the basis that she allowed her vehicle to go off the seal, he said.

Rose was eager to have the matter dealt with.

"This has been hanging over my client ... it's a very serious matter," Mr Blathwayt said.

Prosecuting sergeant Jodie Lawrence said the officer in charge was "100 per cent" firm on the texting issue.

Judge Bill Hastings remanded Rose at large.