Woman admits careless driving causing death of elderly scooter-rider

The Arawa St/Rangiuru St intersection where the fatal crash happened. Photo / File

A Rotorua woman has admitted a charge of careless driving, causing the death of elderly scooter rider and community stalwart Francisca Hawkes-Buchanan.

Blaithin Patricia Page, 47, appeared in the Rotorua District Court on Tuesdayand pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing the death of Francisca Hawkes-Buchanan, of Rotorua.

Hawkes-Buchanan, 87, was a volunteer who was given awards for her community involvement.

She died in a crash while travelling on her scooter on the corner of Arawa and Rangiuru Sts on September 25 last year.

A summary of facts released to the Rotorua Daily Post said the crash happened about 7.25am when Page, who was on her way to work at Rotorua Hospital, pulled out on to Arawa St at the intersection of Rangiuru St and didn't see Hawkes-Buchanan on her scooter.

The summary of facts said the weather that morning was overcast with isolated periods of drizzle.

Hawkes-Buchanan was travelling east on her scooter and didn't have time to react when Page pulled out in front of her, the summary said.

She was knocked off her scooter and she slid to the other side of the road. She later died of her injuries.

At the scene, Page told police she didn't see Hawkes-Buchanan coming, the summary of facts said.

Judge Phillip Cooper remanded Page to reappear in court on May 21 for sentencing.

The case has been referred to restorative justice.

The court heard yesterday that Page was considering applying for a discharge without conviction application which, if successful, would mean she would not be convicted and would maintain a clean court record.

Judge Cooper recorded a guilty plea to the charge but a conviction had not yet been entered.

Hawkes-Buchanan's son, John Hawkes from Rotorua, was in court on Tuesday and told the Rotorua Daily Post the process had been explained to him by a victim adviser for the court and he intended to oppose the application.

"It is not right in my book ... There is CCTV footage and my mother did nothing wrong. She [Page] has made a huge error of judgment but to get away with nothing is not right in my book."

Hawkes said he was in the process of writing a letter in opposition to the court.

"I can see where she [Page] is coming from, that it might affect her future employment or ability to travel overseas, but that's a consequence of her actions."

Hawkes said he would be not be taking part in restorative justice, although he said he could not speak for other members of his family who might consider it.

"It's my view it's only for her [Page's] benefit. It's not going to change things for me."

Hawkes-Buchanan's family previously told the Rotorua Daily Post she would wake at 5am every day and go to the Aquatic Centre to swim laps. They guessed that was where she was coming from when she died.

Francisca Hawkes-Buchanan was a community stalwart. Photo / File

Hawkes-Buchanan was heavily involved with community initiatives, including volunteering for the Red Cross, the annual Christmas Day Community Lunch, visiting patients at Rotorua Hospital and being a part of the Kiwi Coffin Club.

She was recognised for her selflessness in 2017 when she was given a Rotorua Lakes Council Community Award and a Kiwibank Local Heroes award for helping others.

She was a member of St Michael's Catholic Church and could be found volunteering at the Christmas Day Community Lunch since it began.