Crash teen 'launched into windscreen'

A 67-year-old woman today admitted to crashing into a teenager while making an illegal turn in her car.

Alicia Maynard was driving on St John’s Road on August 24 at 4:47pm heading east, approaching the main entrance to Saltus Grammar School.

The victim, Andre Durham, 16, was riding his cycle in a westerly direction.

Crown counsel Susan Mulligan told the court at the entrance of the school, there is a lay-by and traffic is directed to enter via the lay-by.

The court also heard there are traffic signs displayed to tell motorists it is illegal to make a right turn.

Ms Mulligan said: “Despite the traffic signs, the defendant initiated a right turn at the lay-by and continued to turn despite her admission that she heard a bike.

“The front right side of her car collided with Andre Durham, causing him to be launched into the windscreen.”

The court heard Mr Durham sustained broken bones to his knee and fractures to his ribs as a result of the collision. He had to have surgery on his knee.

Ms Mulligan said Mr Durham was unable to work as a result of the accident and couldn’t go back overseas to North Carolina for school in time for the semester to start.

His cycle was only three weeks old at the time of the accident and was severely damaged.

Addressing the court, Maynard said: “I’m sorry the accident happened.  I have never had a conviction before, no traffic tickets, no accidents.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered pre-sentencing reports and indicated he would be looking to order community service and disqualify Maynard from driving for two years.