Woman charged following cyclist's death

Charges have been laid against a 70-year-old Te Horo woman following the death of a cyclist in Te Horo in September.

The crash occurred about 4.45 on the afternoon of Friday, 18 September, on State Highway One when the bike was hit from behind by the woman's Mazda station wagon. Both were travelling north along the highway.

46-year-old Frank Van Kampen, a teacher who lived in Otaki with his partner and baby daughter, died at the scene.

Following a breath test failure by the Mazda driver, her licence was suspended pending a serious crash investigation. That investigation is now complete and the woman has been charged with driving with excess alcohol causing death.

She will appear in the Levin District Court on Thursday, 12 November 2009