The husband of one of three Waikato cyclists killed when they were struck by a car said today he did not "hate" the driver and was open to a request for a restorative justice conference.
Kristy King, 23, today admitted three charges of careless driving causing death when she appeared in Morrinsville District Court.
The pleas followed the deaths of Kay Wolfe, Wilhelm Muller and Mark Ferguson after King's Mazda struck a group of cyclists on Walton Rd, about 12km south of Morrinsville, on November 14.
Mrs Wolfe's husband Roger Wolfe said outside court that the guilty pleas brought home the reality of his situation.
"It's really starting to hit home now that Kay's not coming back. It leaves a big hole in the family.
"It's particularly hard at this time of year."
The possibility of a restorative justice conference will be considered ahead of sentencing, and Mr Wolfe said his family was open to the idea.
"I don't hate her. I'm disappointed in the accident that has happened. I've known Kay since I was 18 and she would have hated to die like this," Mr Wolfe said.
King had indicated she would not drive again, he said.
"But that's just punishing herself even more. She's got to move forward, like all of us."
Mr Wolfe said King's statement of remorse, read out in court by her lawyer, was very touching.
"You could see she meant it. You can see what sort of mess she's in," he said.
"It's just a really sad situation. One little mistake with a motor vehicle and this is what happens."
King, supported by family members, was tearful as she left the police station next to the court following her appearance.
The incident happened when the car King was driving crossed the centre line and hit a group of oncoming cyclists, police said.
Mr Wolfe, who attended a rally on December 5 to demand safety improvements for cyclists, said the crash highlighted the vulnerability of road users not in motor vehicles.
"I don't care whether it's a cyclist, or a girl on a horse, or a pedestrian. The message is that if you're in a car, you've got to be responsible."
King will be sentenced in February.
