Let justice be done. RIP Thomas, they got the bastard [Archive]

willytheekid

26th June 2010, 00:27

http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=114617&fm=newsarticle%20-%20Politics,nrhl
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10645305

The "off duty" Truck driver was driving the skyline, he Hit thomas in fog and dragged him and his bike down the road a ways.
Once he realized.....he drove off!...and left the kid to die on the road!, then the piece of s%%t! torched the skyline to try and hide the evidence.
Thomas was sadly found dead beside his mangled bike on the road @ approx 4am by another Truck driver :(

-the conditions were very foggy and limited visibility may have attributed to the crash, but there is no excuse for driving off and trying to cover it up!

....poor kid didnt stand a chance:weep:

trailblazer

26th June 2010, 00:49

good to see they got the prick. there are no excuses for that kind of thing I hope the judge is hard on him.

yungatart

26th June 2010, 10:13

Well, they have got him and that is all good...lets hope they actually make him serve a decent sentence for the despicable cowardly act that he did.

dipshit

26th June 2010, 10:32

The "off duty" Truck driver was driving the skyline,

A 35-year-old Timaru truck driver has been charged in relation to a fatal hit-and-run in Oamaru last month...

...Last month police arrested the driver of a Nissan Skyline, a 25 year-old Invercargil man, in relation to the same death.

According to this http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/3855663/Further-arrest-in-fatal-hit-and-run it is two different drivers involved.

Berries

26th June 2010, 10:50

It was two different drivers in two different vehicles.

dipshit

26th June 2010, 11:06

Well, they have got him and that is all good...lets hope they actually make him serve a decent sentence for the despicable cowardly act that he did.

As a motorcyclist I would be more concerned about keeping myself safe than demanding "justice" should it all go wrong.

onearmedbandit

26th June 2010, 11:30

The difference is you are still alive. Through no apparent fault of his own (although that isn't confirmed yet) this lad is dead. Justice is all he has left. But for the rest of us, you are right.

cold comfort

26th June 2010, 11:43

Well, they have got him and that is all good...lets hope they actually make him serve a decent sentence for the despicable cowardly act that he did.

Excellent work by the police in pursuing some justice for the family. Hopefully it will equate to an appropriate sentence rather than the "10 months home dentention and 9 months suspension of licence" response we seem to see. I have police friends who despair of watching their hard work be undermined by soft judges.

dipshit

26th June 2010, 12:19

The difference is you are still alive. Through no apparent fault of his own (although that isn't confirmed yet) this lad is dead. Justice is all he has left. But for the rest of us, you are right.

But even fault and who is to blame by the letter of the law is of secondary importance to keeping yourself alive.

Travelling on the roads at night down this way in wintertime is more of a risk. Frost and fog is common and to be expected at night in the south in wintertime. To minimise risk you choose your travel times to be in more favourable conditions... like making your journey in the early evening the night before rather than travelling early the next morning.

Can remember staying at girlfriend's flat in Dunedin when I was younger while working on a farm 50km out of town. It was wintertime and I was setting off to ride back to the farm on Sunday evening for work Monday morning. The girlfriend wanted me to stay the night and ride back to work early in the morning. I refused and left that evening as there would be no frost yet or heavy fog. A safer time to travel that puts the odds more in your favour rather than against you. Incidentally she and her sister had a car accident a few weeks later while trying to travel from Dunedin to Gore early one morning on a frosty road.

Yes it can be an inconvenience to plan your journeys around mother nature... but they are the kind of things you need to think about if you are indeed taking your safety and your riding seriously.

I was at work the night of the unfortunate Oamaru accident and we had millions of dollars worth of machinery and personnel parked up and idle because of the heavy fog that night. An inconvenience, yes - but operating in such conditions increases the chance of an incident.

No amount of remorse and attributing blame afterwards will bring someone back to life. The trick is to think about possible outcomes and do something about it before things go wrong.

onearmedbandit

26th June 2010, 13:02

I understand all that, I've been riding for over 20yrs now in all conditions. However the original comment was in relation to the death of this rider. No amount of anything will change that. But it is important that the driver face the consequences of his actions, I'm sure that much is obvious.

dipshit

26th June 2010, 13:32

But it is important that the driver face the consequences of his actions, I'm sure that much is obvious.

Of course.

But as usual we have a lynch mob here laying blame on other road users... like they are responsible for everything.

They would be better off seeing what they could learn from such an incident to help avoid it happening to others.

onearmedbandit

26th June 2010, 13:36

Of course.

But as usual we have a lynch mob here laying blame on other road users... like they are responsible for everything.

They would be better off seeing what they could learn from such an incident to help avoid it happening to others.

Most definitely. I 100% agree that WE are responsible for OUR own fate in all things in life, especially our safety on the road as motorcyclists. Blaming others acheives nothing, even if you are legitmately wronged, you need to work out why you got into that situation and how you can avoid it or better deal with it in the future.

Hopefully other riders realise that regardless of how this lad died there is lessons to be learnt.

hellokitty

26th June 2010, 15:42

Dutchee

26th June 2010, 17:34

Great news that they caught the guy - there is no excuse for a hit and run - none at all.
That must be so hard for the family to cope with - the fact that he was left there alone to die.
He may have died anyway but how cowardly to run away and leave him.
Unfortunately sometimes people freak out and think the answer is to run.
I remember back in the 80s a young kid overtook at a pedestrian crossing, not realising why the cars had stopped. He hit the push-chair the mother was pushing and knocked the baby out of it.
The child was severely injured, the rider ran. A huge campaign was run in the paper to track the rider down. He had just freaked out and didn;t know what to do. His priest talked him into facing up to the consequences.
I'd actually love to know what happened to the rider and the child, as I worked for the paper at the time and we were all following the story. It seemed to me it never had an ending and I felt for everyone concerned.
I'm glad that justice can be seen to be done in Thomas' case, whatever the reasons for the initial accident.
RIP Thomas and condolences to your family and friends.

White trash

26th June 2010, 18:28

Of course.

But as usual we have a lynch mob here laying blame on other road users... like they are responsible for everything.

They would be better off seeing what they could learn from such an incident to help avoid it happening to others.

I see exactly the point you are trying to make, but, we are entiltled to be on the road as much as anyone else. If these cretins has stopped at the time of the accident, there's a chance the young rider would still be alive. Saying "I'm not going to ride in fog anymore because Dipshit said we need to take responsibility for our own destiny in bad conditions and therefore it's my fault if some reckless arsehole hits me and runs off" is actually fairly lame.

Deano

26th June 2010, 19:43

I see exactly the point you are trying to make, but, we are entiltled to be on the road as much as anyone else. If these cretins has stopped at the time of the accident, there's a chance the young rider would still be alive. Saying "I'm not going to ride in fog anymore because Dipshit said we need to take responsibility for our own destiny in bad conditions and therefore it's my fault if some reckless arsehole hits me and runs off" is actually fairly lame.

Totally. Its a moot point as far as Thomas is concerned. Why even bring up the we are responsible BS at this point in time. Any such argument tends to imply a reduced responsibility on the guilty party.

There's any number of reasons why anyone would need to ride in such conditions so suggesting avoiding them is not always practicable.

oldrider

26th June 2010, 20:51

But even fault and who is to blame by the letter of the law is of secondary importance to keeping yourself alive.

Travelling on the roads at night down this way in wintertime is more of a risk. Frost and fog is common and to be expected at night in the south in wintertime. To minimise risk you choose your travel times to be in more favourable conditions... like making your journey in the early evening the night before rather than travelling early the next morning.

Can remember staying at girlfriend's flat in Dunedin when I was younger while working on a farm 50km out of town. It was wintertime and I was setting off to ride back to the farm on Sunday evening for work Monday morning. The girlfriend wanted me to stay the night and ride back to work early in the morning. I refused and left that evening as there would be no frost yet or heavy fog. A safer time to travel that puts the odds more in your favour rather than against you. Incidentally she and her sister had a car accident a few weeks later while trying to travel from Dunedin to Gore early one morning on a frosty road.

Yes it can be an inconvenience to plan your journeys around mother nature... but they are the kind of things you need to think about if you are indeed taking your safety and your riding seriously.

I was at work the night of the unfortunate Oamaru accident and we had millions of dollars worth of machinery and personnel parked up and idle because of the heavy fog that night. An inconvenience, yes - but operating in such conditions increases the chance of an incident.

No amount of remorse and attributing blame afterwards will bring someone back to life. The trick is to think about possible outcomes and do something about it before things go wrong.

True!

Just one such night is upon us again this night, well up here in this end of the Waitaki valley, it looks like a hoarfrost season is about to develop!

Probably be waking up to scenes like this tomorrow, or very soon. http://www.pbase.com/johnrendle/image/82853877

The Police did a great job of apprehending the culprit of this killing, here's hoping the justice system doesn't negate their good work by failing to deliver "justice", yet again! :mellow:

quickbuck

26th June 2010, 22:38

There's any number of reasons why anyone would need to ride in such conditions so suggesting avoiding them is not always practicable.

Very True.

The last time I was really worried for my safety on a motorcycle.... like real scared, was traveling through the Manawatu Gorge on a foggy morning.
It must have been 10 years ago now. I remember heading through at about 40 to 50k, as the fog was so thick.
What worried me was that it somebody who "Knew the road" would come hurtling through there at "Normal" pace and run us (me with mrs as pillion) over... Or at very least knock one or both of us over the rail into the river.....

Had a long stop in Woodville until the fog lifted.

dipshit

26th June 2010, 22:42

"I'm not going to ride in fog anymore because Dipshit said we need to take responsibility for our own destiny in bad conditions and therefore it's my fault if some reckless arsehole hits me and runs off" is actually fairly lame.

Getting yourself killed is more lame.

White trash

27th June 2010, 09:09

Getting yourself killed is more lame.

Man, you're not making a lot of sense. So if a car pulls out to overtake another, while you're heading up a passing lane well within your rights overtaking another and you dot it square between the headlights, dying instantly. You'll accept that you're lame for "getting yourself killed" and that the driver should get a reduced sentence because you should be partially responsible for the accident? Have you discussed this with your wife and family dude, they may not feel the same way.

oldrider

27th June 2010, 12:11

Had a long stop in Woodville until the fog lifted.

I lived in Woodville for 15 years and I didn't think the fog ever lifted! :lol:

riffer

27th June 2010, 13:38

Man, you're not making a lot of sense. So if a car pulls out to overtake another, while you're heading up a passing lane well within your rights overtaking another and you dot it square between the headlights, dying instantly. You'll accept that you're lame for "getting yourself killed" and that the driver should get a reduced sentence because you should be partially responsible for the accident? Have you discussed this with your wife and family dude, they may not feel the same way.

Forget it mate, this clown's definitely in the "it's always the motorcyclists fault" camp.

dipshit

27th June 2010, 20:11

Forget it mate, this clown's definitely in the "it's always the motorcyclists fault" camp.

Good thing the aviation industry and pilots take safety a bit more seriously than your typical motorcyclist does.

I am sure a pilot would avoid flying in adverse conditions when possible (if they lack the necessary instrumentation) to minimise risk of getting themselves killed.

Shame many motorcyclists don't put as much thought into their riding.

JimO

27th June 2010, 20:43

Shame many motorcyclists don't put as much thought into their riding.
as i understand it this young guy was going to work and perhaps didnt have other transport?? cant blame him for being killed by someone not paying attention

dipshit

27th June 2010, 21:38

as i understand it this young guy was going to work and perhaps didnt have other transport?? cant blame him for being killed by someone not paying attention

He was travelling 70 km to his parent's farm he worked on after staying the night at a friend's place in Oamaru. He no doubt had accommodation at the farm. This was not a daily commute.

Almost exactly the same scenario I faced when I was riding at 18. (see above (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/125311-Let-justice-be-done.-RIP-Thomas-they-got-the-bastard?p=1129794152#post1129794152)) You could ride back to the farm the evening before in more favourable conditions or try your luck at 4 am in almost the middle of winter. Your choice.

The decisions you make and the amount of thought you put into your riding does have an influence over how much "luck" you have.

onearmedbandit

28th June 2010, 15:01

Berries

28th June 2010, 23:36

There is more to it than that, but if a bike is your only mode of transport then fog is just another weather condition to take in to account. I rode in to work the morning of the crash, before I had heard about it, and actually thought about what would happen if I did come off because the weather was absolute shit that day. Probably the first time I had thought like that. Ice stops me from riding a few days a year, severe wind can delay a trip as well. Fog doesn't, it just reduces visibility. This guy did absolutely nothing wrong.

As for the airline industry, I know more pilots than I do bike riders. They're all cowboys.

willytheekid

29th June 2010, 00:07

I thought the issue that most were hung up on was the fact the car driver failed to stop then burnt his car in an attempt to hide the evidence. Mistakes happen, maybe the car driver didn't see him, maybe he was drunk, maybe the bikes lights had failed, maybe the rider shouldn't have been out in those conditions, maybe maybe maybe. But that's all for another day, and another thread. The driver of the car struck the motorcyclist, failed to stop to render any assistance, and then in an attempt to escape responsibility for his actions and therefore prosecution from the law and judgment by his peers he destroyed the evidence. That's the difference.

Nicely said!
This was EXACTLY why i posted this thread, all of us should realize that accidents happen, and that their are MANY factors involved, but this gutless bastard! hit a fellow biker and ran, then he showed his true nature in trying to cover up the fact by burning out his car to hide the evidence.
-I truly hope the court take this into account and give Thomas's family and friends the Justice they deserve, and the closure they require to move on.

ride safe everyone......there be Bastards out there!

TimeOut

29th June 2010, 07:05

The 35 year old truck driver driving a truck failed to give way (possibly couldn't see him due to the fog) and was the cause of the accident. And I'm assuming the 25 year old Skyline driver has run over him on the road, possibly didn't see him either.
The bit that gets me and they should be hit hard for is they both drove off and left him to die.

imdying

29th June 2010, 08:55

But even fault and who is to blame by the letter of the law is of secondary importance to keeping yourself alive.Only to oneself, not to everybody else.

dipshit

29th June 2010, 19:56

Only to oneself, not to everybody else.

But if you keep yourself safe then your family doesn't have to go through the aftermath.

scumdog

29th June 2010, 21:52

98tls

30th June 2010, 18:10

Good thing the aviation industry and pilots take safety a bit more seriously than your typical motorcyclist does.

I am sure a pilot would avoid flying in adverse conditions when possible (if they lack the necessary instrumentation) to minimise risk of getting themselves killed.

Shame many motorcyclists don't put as much thought into their riding.

Watch the news last night Dip?seems they dont.This guy death ultitmately was through no fault of his own,the piece of shit that left him to die would in a perfect world have his fucking head cut off and justice would have been served,sadly the NZ justice system will see him spend little time in the big house then come out and carry on breathing/living a somewhat normal life.Fucking disgusting.

98tls

30th June 2010, 18:18

He was travelling 70 km to his parent's farm he worked on after staying the night at a friend's place in Oamaru. He no doubt had accommodation at the farm. This was not a daily commute.

Almost exactly the same scenario I faced when I was riding at 18. (see above (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/125311-Let-justice-be-done.-RIP-Thomas-they-got-the-bastard?p=1129794152#post1129794152)) You could ride back to the farm the evening before in more favourable conditions or try your luck at 4 am in almost the middle of winter. Your choice.

The decisions you make and the amount of thought you put into your riding does have an influence over how much "luck" you have.

Actually he had stayed the night at his girlfriends place and was heading home for work,met the young guy twice,seemed like a nice young fella,no different than you or i at that age i guess.Yep here in Oamaru on the night in question the weather was bad but ive no doubt that under the same circumstances both you and i would both have ridden.Its only the interweb dip but fucking hell a bit of respect eh.

dipshit

30th June 2010, 19:04

Actually he had stayed the night at his girlfriends place and was heading home for work,met the young guy twice,seemed like a nice young fella,no different than you or i at that age i guess.Yep here in Oamaru on the night in question the weather was bad but ive no doubt that under the same circumstances both you and i would both have ridden.Its only the interweb dip but fucking hell a bit of respect eh.

Exactly the same circumstances I faced at 18... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/125311-Let-justice-be-done.-RIP-Thomas-they-got-the-bastard?p=1129794152#post1129794152

But no, I thought about the implications of trying to ride back to the farm in the early morning in the middle of winter and chose to avoid that unnecessary risk.

98tls

30th June 2010, 19:28

Exactly the same circumstances I faced at 18... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/125311-Let-justice-be-done.-RIP-Thomas-they-got-the-bastard?p=1129794152#post1129794152

But no, I thought about the implications of trying to ride back to the farm in the early morning in the middle of winter and chose to avoid that unnecessary risk.

There you go then eh.God forbid you ever come to grief mate but rest assured if you do then i will lay a bunch at your stone with a card that says "didnt think to avoid unnecessary risk.

Berries

22nd July 2010, 07:28

98tls

22nd July 2010, 07:37

The fullest story of what happened that night - http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/117113/hit-and-run-driver-concocted-039series-lies039
Although the weather was shit in most parts of Otago fog did not play a part.

Jesus,poor bugger.RIP.Cant believe that that not only the truck driver but the next person along who hit the guy made no attempt to do the right thing,people eh.

danchop

1st September 2010, 23:27

A 35-year-old truck driver was today jailed for 26 months for the hit-and-run killing of a North Otago farm worker.

Richard Eion Gent, 35, of Levels, Timaru, pleaded guilty in Oamaru District Court to careless driving causing the death of 18-year-old Tom Fry, perverting the course of justice, failing to render assistance after an accident, and failing to report an injury accident.

The court was told Gent's truck pulled out in front of Mr Fry just north of Oamaru in heavy fog in May, causing Mr Fry to fall off his motorbike and under the wheels of the 45 tonne trailer unit.

"Aware that the crash had occurred, the defendant slowed his vehicle, but then decided not to stop and continued driving south, making his deliveries and not mentioning the crash to anyone," the summary stated.

"Within minutes the rider's body, which was lying on the highway, was hit by a second vehicle (and) the driver of that vehicle also failed to remain at the scene."

He later destroyed his car to avoid detection.

Gent denied knowledge of the accident for six weeks before finally confessing his role in Mr Fry's death.

In court today Gent avoided eye contact with Tom Fry's family as they read their victim impact statements.

The victim's father, Wes, told the court that when he saw the police car arrive at his property early on May 13 he felt "rising fear and dread".

"That was just the beginning of the nightmare," he said.

"The fact that Tom died is hard enough to understand, but the circumstances were harder."

In her victim impact statement, Tom Fry's mother Ann said the death had "changed my life forever".

"My heart was shattered to pieces on that day and I don't know if it can be repaired," she said.

"(We went through) six weeks of not knowing what had happened and I thought finding out would make it easier, but it didn't."

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said the family were "incredibly brave" to stand up in court and read their statements.

"The pain and suffering as a result of (losing) Tom will remain with them forever and nothing the court can do will change what has happened," he said.

Gent was ordered to pay reparations of $6850 for the motorcycle and was disqualified from driving for three years

why not have this judge on all court accident related deaths,the truck driver was indeed guilty but would not be in prison now if he hadnt panicked,unlike the bitch who took off from a checkpoint pissed and killed someone and recieved a stay at home/play playstation sentence