Yesterday Ms Stevenson convicted 66-year-old Trevor Allan Louis of negligent driving occasioning death and imposed a two-year-good behaviour bond and disqualified Louis from driving for 12 months.

“He offers his unreserved apology to the family for what has happened and is deeply regretful and remorseful for what has happened,” Louis’ solicitor Mason Manwaring told the court.

Orange woman Roseann Kent was a passenger in a vehicle on Burrendong Way on the morning of October 21 last year when she was teaching her son Luke Wilson to drive.

While the vehicle was stopped and had its indicator on waiting to turn right into Cassey Crescent it was struck from behind by Louis who was driving a Bedford Isuzu truck.

Ms Kent sustained fatal head injuries in the collision.

The court was told there was no apparent reason for the crash, other than a momentary loss of concentration for a few seconds by Louis. Speed was not involved and Louis tested negative to alcohol and drugs following the crash.

While family members sat crying quietly in the court Magistrate Stevenson read a statement from Ms Kent’s daughter about the impact of three children losing their mother and struggling with their grief to come to terms with the tragedy in their lives.

Mr Manwaring said in the 14 years he had been at court he had never acted for anyone of such an exemplary character as Louis who worked seven days a week and gave any spare time he had to the community.

“He works hard and earns a meagre wage and I fear that taking away his licence will have an affect on his livelihood,” Mr Manwaring said.

“He punishes himself everyday for what has happened.”

Magistrate Jan Stevenson said in convicting Louis and imposing a bond she had no powers under the legislation to allow Louis to keep his licence.