Driver jailed for fatal collision with Christchurch cyclist

Tyson Delaney Stechman, 21, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop to ascertain injury. The sentencing occurred in the Christchurch District Court on Friday following Stechman's guilty pleas in July. The charges stem from a February 22 incident on Evans Pass Road where Stechman, then 20, struck 60-year-old Ian Huntsman.

The collision occurred as Huntsman was cycling towards Sumner at approximately 58km/h. Stechman, who held a learner licence, approached from behind in a 2002 Holden Commodore and sounded his horn before overtaking the cyclist at speeds between 79km/h and 96km/h. The vehicle made contact with the bicycle, causing Huntsman to be thrown onto the roadway.

Stechman then accelerated to speeds between 96km/h and 112km/h in a 50km/h zone and drove away. He discussed the incident with a passenger but did not stop to check on Huntsman or call emergency services. Huntsman died in Christchurch Hospital on March 4 after being on life support for 10 days.

Judge Mark Callaghan described the driving as "plainly aggressive" and noted the impact of the offending was irreversible. Stechman received discounts for his youth, remorse, and guilty plea, but the sentence did not fall below the two-year threshold for home detention. Additionally, Stechman's licence was disqualified for four years and his vehicle was confiscated.

How it developed

• Fri 23 Oct, 6:13pmThe report notes that Stechman's passenger eventually admitted to police that Stechman had hit the cyclist after previously lying.

Where reports differ

• One report states Huntsman died about a fortnight after the crash, while others specify he died 10 days later

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, The Press, Otago Daily Times and RNZ.