22 Nov 2011

Cyclist may not have had light on at time of crash says analyst

8:20 pm on 22 November 2011

A police crash analyst has told a court there is no evidence that a cyclist who died in a night-time crash in Wellington had a light on the front of his bike.

Yvonne van Roy, 63, is before the Wellington District Court charged with careless use of a motor vehicle, causing the death of Benjamin Lawless in January this year.

Her car and Mr Lawless's bike collided on a corner in the suburb of Karori and Mr Lawless was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Peter Sowter said a handlebar-mounted headlight would have enabled the cyclist to be seen whether he was looking straight ahead or had his head turned.

However, Mr Sowter said the area was well lit and a cyclist with a forward facing head light on his helmet should have been able to be seen.

Mr Lawless's sister earlier told the court she thought her brother was wearing a helmet light.