Friday, June 13, 2014

Blind man struck by 'distracted' bus driver

Blind man struck by 'distracted' bus driver



A legally blind man suffered severe injuries and emotional harm
after being struck by a bus driven by a "distracted" driver, a judge
says.

Simon Fogarty suffered four broken ribs, lacerations, a
large cut above his eye, with operations required to remove fluid from
his lungs following the February 8 incident.

He declined to comment following the Dunedin District Court sentencing of Christopher James More, 61, who was driving the bus.

On
the day of the incident, the pedestrian cross signal changed to a green
man coinciding with a rapid beeping sound and a pulse to the pedestrian
crossing plate to indicate Mr Fogarty could cross safely.

The bus driven by More turned right into St Andrews St at the same time as Mr Fogarty, who was knocked to the ground.

"You
were distracted," Judge Kevin Phillips told More, who had apologised to
his victim and undergone a restorative justice meeting.

"Too many drivers don't pay sufficient attention."

More
was disqualified from driving for six months, with reparations of $206
to the Blind Foundation and $556 to his victim, with a further $1000
emotional harm payment for Mr Fogarty.


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