The driver of a car that ploughed into a group of cyclists in Waikato, killing three people, has escaped a prison term.
Kristy King earlier pleaded guilty to three charges of careless driving causing death following the crash at Morrinsville on 14 November last year.
At the Morrinsville District Court on Monday, the 24-year-old was sentenced to 300 hours' community service, ordered to pay reparation of $10,000 to each of the families, and disqualified from driving for one year.
The court was told there was no evidence of excessive speed, cellphone use or alcohol and drugs on the day of the crash.
Judge Arthur Tompkins said King had braked after seeing the cyclists, skidded on the damp road and lost control, ploughing into the 10 riders. He described the incident as "extremely tragic".
King sat sobbing as seven family members read out their victim impact statements. They spoke of how their hopes and aspirations had now been extinguished, how it was a struggle to continue, and how King was still alive and could see her family, whereas their loved-ones were gone.
However, some family members told Judge Tompkins a prison sentence would serve no useful purpose.
Roger Wolfe's wife Kay was one of those killed in the crash. Mr Wolfe told the court there was no value in King going to prison and she should be held financially responsible for her actions.
King's lawyer, Paul Gascoigne, says his client is extremely remorseful for what happened.
King has attended two restorative justice conferences with the families and has agreed to help in any way she can in advocating the message of safe driving.
