Elderly driver who ran down mum and daughter in supermarket car park caused 'life-changing' injuries
From reporter Joanne Naish:
An 87-year-old motorist who knocked down a mother and daughter in Westport’s New World car park in November has been ordered to pay reparations of $15,000.
Richard Alexander Scadden appeared in the Westport District Court for sentencing on Thursday.
He pleaded guilty in January to two charges of operating a vehicle carelessly and injuring Chelsea Ferguson, 29, and her daughter Pippa, 4.
“One mistake in a split second has changed my life and my capacity to be a mum for the rest of my life,” Ferguson said in a victim impact statement.
Judge Noel Walsh said Ferguson, who attended court on crutches, required nine operations to save her crushed leg, was in hospital for a month and was still undergoing physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Pippa suffered a broken collarbone, a fractured wrist and concussion.
“There is nothing the court can say or do to undo the enormous harm that has been done ... you made a terrible error with drastic consequences,” the judge told Scadden.
Judge Walsh said Scadden had driven from Rolleston near Christchurch to Westport, before driving into the New World supermarket at about 4.15pm on November 15 last year.
Ferguson and her three of her children were coming out of the store when Scadden accelerated and drove onto the footpath, crushing Ferguson’s leg against the building.
Ferguson’s victim impact statement said she did not know if she would ever be the same again and could no longer do the things she normally did like walking, driving and looking after her four children, the judge noted.
The children who were with her when it happened were extremely traumatised, with one suffering panic attacks and another nightmares.
The family had just arrived in Westport from Australia for a holiday, and the incident had forced them to “adjust their whole lives” and move to New Zealand.
The children had since enrolled at school in Westport and Ferguson and her husband were unable to work.
Up to January they had incurred expenses for travel to medical appointments and lost income of $67,557, which left them struggling, despite the generous donations people had given them.
“Chelsea describes it as life-changing. She said she relives the crash every time she closes her eyes and thinks about what she could have done to get out of the way,” the judge said.
“It was all over in a second... the engine roared and the car shot forward into the building. I can only assume my foot slipped onto the accelerator,” Scadden said in a letter he wrote to the family.
Judge Walsh said because it was not an easy mistake to make, he had concerns about Scadden’s ability to drive in future.
He disqualified him from driving for six months and ordered him to sit a driving test before being allowed to drive again.
Defence lawyer Mark Dollimore said Scadden had not driven since the crash because he thought it would be disrespectful to be seen driving around Westport.
He knew there had been serious consequences for Ferguson and her family, which would last for a “very, very long time”.
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Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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