Key Takeaways:
- Samson has pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of Hana-Wetere, who was killed when a trailer he was towing crashed into her car.
- The trailer was in a poor condition, with significant corrosion and faulty brakes, and was not safe to be on the road.
- Samson had inspected the trailer before purchasing it, but chose to tow it 370km to his home despite its poor condition.
- Hana-Wetere’s family has been left to deal with the loss and sorrow of her death, and will have the opportunity to read victim impact statements at Samson’s sentencing in April.
- The crash highlights the importance of ensuring that vehicles and trailers are in a safe condition before using them on the road.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Hana-Wetere’s death has been a tragic and devastating one, with her family and loved ones left to pick up the pieces and try to come to terms with what happened. In a recent court hearing, Samson, the man responsible for the crash, pleaded guilty to charges related to her death. The court was filled with Hana-Wetere’s whānau, who were there to see Samson enter his guilty plea and to begin the process of seeking justice for their loved one. Judge Kim Saunders acknowledged the "loss and sorrow" that they must all be feeling, and encouraged them to write victim impact statements to read at Samson’s sentencing in April.
The Events Leading Up to the Crash
The events leading up to the crash are a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that vehicles and trailers are in a safe condition before using them on the road. Samson had contacted a person selling a Haines Hunter fibreglass boat and metal trailer in Tauranga on June 23, via Facebook Marketplace. The boat was listed as a "project boat" due to the significant amount of work required to get both the boat and trailer up to seaworthy and roadworthy standard. Despite this, Samson chose to purchase the trailer and boat for $3000, and then towed them 370km to his home in New Plymouth. The trailer’s WOF had expired in July 2016, and it had been extensively affected by corrosion, with visible holes in its frame and large areas of discolouration.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
The crash occurred when the trailer broke on the drawbar, about 30cm back from the tow ball, as Samson was travelling south of Te Kūiti on SH3. The trailer and boat crossed the centre line, crashing into Hana-Wetere’s car, which was travelling north in the passing lane. The impact was fatal, with Hana-Wetere suffering fractures to her skull, jaw, ribs, humerus, femur, and elbow, along with lacerations to her liver, spleen, and kidneys. The police serious crash unit found numerous issues with the trailer, including excessive corrosion, faulty and non-operational brakes, and a compromised frame. The combined weight of the trailer and boat was 2380kg, far exceeding the safe towing limit of 750kg.
The Victim and Her Family
Hana-Wetere’s brother, Te Huia Brown-Hana, has spoken about the devastating impact of her death on their family. He described her as "larger than life", caring, and having a "bubbly" personality. She was a loved and valued member of their family, and her death has left a huge hole in their lives. Brown-Hana said that Hana-Wetere was on her way back home to Auckland after a holiday in New Plymouth when the crash happened. She had everything going for her, with a partner working in Australia and plans to join him eventually. She had started planning out what she wanted in her life and how she wanted to get there, and was actually doing really well.
Conclusion and Sentencing
Samson’s guilty plea is a significant step towards justice for Hana-Wetere’s family, but it will not bring her back. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that vehicles and trailers are in a safe condition before using them on the road. It also highlights the devastating consequences of ignoring safety warnings and taking unnecessary risks. Samson will be sentenced in April, and it is hoped that he will be held accountable for his actions. The victim impact statements from Hana-Wetere’s family will be a powerful reminder of the human cost of his actions, and will help to ensure that justice is served.
