Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Guilty verdict in Wellington cyclist case

Updated at 9:29 pm on 23 November 2011

A woman has been found guilty of causing the death of a cyclist her car collided with late at night in January.

Yvonne van Roy, 63, was before the Wellington District Court charged with careless use of a motor vehicle, causing the death of Benjamin Lawless.

Her lawyer said the lighting in the area was poor and the cyclist's helmet light and clothing made him difficult to see.

Judge Tom Broadmore says despite those factors Mr Lawless could have been seen and van Roy was careless in starting her turn in front of him.

The case returns to court next month when van Roy's lawyer will seek a discharge without conviction.

Van Roy is an associate accounting professor at Victoria University.

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