The family of the woman killed by a truck driver did not just forgive him, they had lunch with him after his court appearance. Alfred Price, after all, held Margaret Elizabeth Stewart’s hand as she lay dying on a Hamilton road. Price was momentarily distracted as he drove his truck-and-trailer unit along Ruakura Rd looking for an entrance to the Mitre 10. He didn’t see the red light at the pedestrian crossing and he didn’t see 91-year-old Stewart, edging along with her mobility walker. By the time he realised the light was red, it was too late and Stewart lay under his truck. Price was sentenced at the Hamilton District Court on Thursday after admitting a charge of careless driving causing death. Community magistrate Kathy Wilson ordered Price to pay $5000 reparation to the family. Wilson also accepted an application made by Price’s lawyer, Murray McKechnie, to allow Price to keep his licence, as driving is his livelihood.
