Family of Coast great-grandmother who died in a crash have forgiven the driver of the other car

The family of a Gold Coast great-grandmother who died of injuries after an horrific head-on collision have forgiven the driver of the other car in an emotional day in the Southport court.

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THE family of a Gold Coast great-grandmother who died of injuries after an horrific head-on collision have forgiven the driver of the other car in an emotional day in the Southport court.

Christine Weiss, 70, died in hospital days after shocking injuries when William Rongomatane Kahaki failed to give way at a Pimpama intersection on December 16 last year.

He hit Mrs Weiss’s car head on, causing so much damage she needed to be cut from the car.

She died on December 29 after her life support was switched off – a day before her 71st birthday.

Kahaki, 22, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to driving without due care and attention causing death.

Prior to the court hearing, Kahaki met Mrs Weiss’s three daughters and one of her grandchildren - and personally apologised.

He also offered for them to come to his home where he would feed them – an offer which was culturally significant for Kahaki.

At the time of the crash, Kahaki was unlicensed, homeless, living in his car and driving to work in order to earn money to eat.

There was no suggestion of speeding or evidence Kahaki was intoxicated at the time, the court was told.

Outside court Mrs Weiss’s daughter Rachel Hayward told the Bulletin: “The outcome today was based on what she would have wanted.”

“We came here very angry. We now believe he was genuine in his remorse.”

After the meeting the family spoke and took the extraordinary step of asking Kahaki be placed on a probation and complete community service rather than a more severe punishment of a suspended prison sentence.

They did so in order to allow Kahaki to take courses and be under the supervision of a parole officer to help with his rehabilitation.

Ms Hayward said they felt at 22 that a prison sentence would “ruin his life”.

“He has to live with it,” she said.

“We don’t know what he sees when he closes his eyes.”

Ms Hayward said if she was homeless, unlicensed and needed food, it would be likely she would drive to work too.

Ms Hayward and her sisters – Samantha Hoppitt and Louise Sultana – and Mrs Weiss’ oldest grandson Aaron Eddie told the Bulletin how Mrs Weiss was a family-orientated woman whose life was her four children, 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“She was one heck of a woman,” Ms Sultana said.

“She dedicated her entire life to our family.”

In a victim impact statement tendered to the court, Ms Sultana described her mother as the “independent, caring, loving, thoughtful, generous, matriarch of our family”.

“I’m devastated as she will never see me become a Nanna and be as involved with them as she was with her grand babies,” she said.

“Mum was my best friend and confidant. I miss her so much

“I have pictures of her on my fridge that I talk to regularly, but it’s just not the same.

“We had this thing with the Mumma, if any of us were hurting or upset, she would always offer to rock you like a baby.

“Now is when I need it most and she is not here any more. I’m just lost. I would give anything just to hear her say that.”

The court was told on Friday Kahaki was unlicensed at the time.

He had simply not seen Mrs Weiss’s car when he failed to give way when making a right turn.

Kahaki stayed at the scene, admitted to police he was not licenced and immediately asked how the driver of the other vehicle was.

Magistrate Louisa Pink sentenced Kahaki to two years probation, 100 hours community service and disqualified him from driving for a year.

Defence lawyer Sam Jackson, of Bamberry Lawyers, said Kahaki, was remorseful and said it was “remarkable” the family had extended some forgiveness.

“He just didn’t see her car – that’s the best explanation he can put on it,” he said.

Mr Jackson said Kahaki, a New Zealand citizen, had become homeless after a falling out with his aunt prior to the crash.

He said Kahaki had previously worked in hospitality but lost his job due to the pandemic.

At the time of the crash he was driving to work in a nutrition factory at Ormeau where he had casual work.

Mr Jackson said Kahaki now worked 20 hours a week with the Salvation Army and had aspirations to become a childcare worker.

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Originally published as Family of Coast great-grandmother who died in a crash have forgiven the driver of the other car