Charlotte Hardwick denies careless driving after a fatal crash involving motorcyclist Nuno Gaspar in Christchurch.
Nuno Gaspar, in his 40s, died in the crash. He rode his motorcycle above the speed limit. The limit on Barrack Road was 30 mph. He was going double that when it happened.
The prosecutor, Ed Wylde, spoke in court. He said Charlotte Hardwick should have seen him. Even with the speeding, she had to see him, then turned into his path.
Hardwick, 27, is a care worker who worked on Christchurch Road. She was going to a client’s home, near where the crash took place, around 8:40 am on September 30, 2022. She drove from the Bailey Bridge roundabout, moving to the right lane. She wanted to turn right onto Avenue Road.
Footage showed Hardwick turning as Gaspar rode toward the roundabout. His motorcycle hit her car. Hardwick drove a Suzuki Swift and pleaded not guilty to the charges; she did not admit to careless driving.
Mr. Wylde outlined the case against her, calling it a very sad case. He stated she is not a bad person, but that she made a mistake. Gaspar was driving over 30 mph. Wylde said Gaspar braked hard, spotting Hardwick’s car too late to avoid the collision.
Gaspar had the right of way, riding like nothing blocked him, and the motorcyclist did not slow down; cars must yield to traffic. After the crash, Hardwick spoke to police, saying she did not see him. She checked the road before turning, making sure it was clear.
Amy Snell was a driver at the time, when Barrack Road was busy and traffic moved slowly. She noticed Gaspar’s motorcycle behind her about 30 seconds before the crash. He rode aggressively, she said, wanting to pass her.
She saw a silver car begin to turn and heard the motorcycle “rev” and pass her. Snell said, “Oh God no!” The motorcycle did not slow, and the car seemed to turn normally. It did not stop, she said; the motorcycle hit the car, and the rider fell to the ground.
Antonio Carluccio, who rode a scooter nearby, said Gaspar weaved through traffic and sped up near the junction. “The motorbike was travelling too fast,” he said. Another witness said the road was clear, until the motorcyclist appeared suddenly.
Another witness said Gaspar drove like an idiot because of his speed before the accident. The trial continues in court.