Apology for deadly driving
A man who caused a double fatal crash while on a cocktail of drugs has apologised to his victims’ families.
Anaru Freedom Woolley, 27, pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of Kevin Hanks, 40, and Macauley Arnott, 13, when he collided with their vehicle on State Highway 2, near the Tui brewery in Mangatainoka, on April 4. Hanks’ sons, Koben and Kasen, were passengers in the crash. Koben, 13, suffered a head injury and was in an induced coma in Auckland’s Starship children’s hospital, while Kasen, 15, suffered minor injuries.
In the Palmerston North District Court yesterday, defence lawyer Steve Winter apologised for the ‘‘irreplaceable’’ losses his client had caused. ‘‘Mr Woolley has specifically asked me to do that,’’ he told the group of about 15 family members.
A forestry worker from Dannevirke, Woolley was found with cannabis and a pipe for smoking methamphetamine, and tests confirmed both substances in his system. However, the court process had been delayed after forensic scientists mistook the blood sample he provided at the hospital with another.
‘‘The process was flawed. That flaw was identified and it will be fixed,’’ Winter said.
The mistake means it has taken more than four months for Woolley to plead guilty. He was unable to explain how the crash occurred, but he hoped the two families would take part in a restorative justice conference, which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation.
Hanks’ family didn’t comment following Woolley’s court appearance, but in April, sister-in-law Elise Bilich said he was a friendly, bubbly guy who was always interested in others. He worked on his wife’s family farm in Woodville until three years ago, when he changed careers to work at a nursery. Hanks’ funeral was held on what would have been his 41st birthday.
Macauley Arnott, of Pahı¯atua, would have celebrated his 14th birthday the week he died and his family had planned a trip to Adrenalin Forest in Porirua to celebrate.
Known as Mac, a Givealittle page set up by his sisters Kaitlyn and Bailey Holtham reported he was the youngest of seven siblings.
Mac was travelling to a squash game with his best friend, Koben, when the crash occurred.
Woolley will be sentenced in November.
Anaru Woolley asked his lawyer to apologise for the ‘‘irreplaceable’’ losses he caused with a crash that killed two people and injured two others.