Bride on way to wedding accused of killing man
May 27, 2008
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BRIDE-to-be Jennifer Thomas was on her way to her wedding, her bridesmaid by her side, when she drove into the back of another car at Kurrajong in Sydney’s outskirts.
It was a relatively minor accident and the other driver, 79-year-old Ronald Hawkins, had no visible injury aside from a cut on his shin, Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court heard yesterday.
But early the next morning Mr Hawkins was rushed to Nepean Hospital, where doctors found a haematoma on his brain.
Less than 16 hours after the collision, his life support was switched off.
Supported by her husband and parents, Ms Thomas yesterday broke down in tears as Mr Hawkins’ daughter Jacki Wade gave emotional evidence about his final hours.
Ms Thomas, 26, is defending a charge of negligent driving causing death over the accident on November 5, 2006.
She learned of Mr Hawkins’ death after returning from her honeymoon.
Defence counsel Ted Smith told the court that Mr Hawkins’ unfortunate death was distressing for everyone - and “no one more so than my client”.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Phil Butterfield also referred to the tragic circumstances, saying: “This is perhaps one of the most unfortunate accidents you would see.”
Ms Thomas was about to get married on the day of the collision.
She was driving at about 3.50pm when she hit Mr Hawkins’ car from behind on a wet road, Sgt Butterfield said.
Mr Hawkins, who was on his way to visit Ms Wade, was about to turn off the road.
Sgt Butterfield said that “by all accounts this was a relatively minor accident”, with the drivers getting out and swapping details.
Afterwards Ms Thomas, whose bridesmaid was in the passenger seat, got married at nearby Bellbird Hill.
Mr Hawkins was taken to his Windsor home by a tow-truck driver. He told his family his car was written off.
Constable Brad Phillips recalled Mr Hawkins telling him at the police station: “I received a bit of a bump on the head.”
Const Phillips said they had a conversation about “any accident you walk away from being a good one”.
Ms Wade gave evidence that her father was shaky when she arrived at his house and showed her a cut on his leg - the only injury she could see.
“He was taking Panadol,” she said. “I asked him did he have a headache and he said yes, but it wasn’t too bad.”
The hearing will continue in August.
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