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Crash victim had moved for fresh start
(HTM) Source
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A man killed in a crash along with his partner had moved to Queenstown
for a fresh start after a "hard life" in the North Island.
Simran Shiuagani Mala, 25, and Jamie William Pitman, 35, both of
Frankton, were killed in a two-vehicle collision in Malaghans Rd,
between Dalefield Rd and the Waikaka Church, about 10pm last Thursday.
The couple's unborn daughter, due in October, was also killed.
A police media spokeswoman said the exact circumstances of the crash
were still under investigation.
Queenstown man Kevin Johnston, who identified the couple's bodies
after the crash, said Mr Pitman was trying to turn his life around.
Mr Johnston said Mr Pitman, who was originally from Kaitaia, had moved
to Queenstown for a fresh start.
"He had a bit of a hard life, he did, growing up, born into the gang
life and stuff like that.
"He came down [to Queenstown], lived by me, was changing his ways and
getting away from all the drugs and stuff."
Mr Johnston, a chef, said Mr Pitman initially moved to Queenstown
about a year ago and worked with him in the kitchen at Pier.
He went back up north and then returned last November, planning to
stay permanently.
Just a couple of weeks later, he met Ms Mala through a friend and
"fell in love".
He described the couple's relationship as "rocky and happy".
"[It was] two completely different cultures coming together, him being
Maori and her Indian-Fijian.
"The people that saw them [last] Thursday said they were really happy
and enjoying things."
While the baby was a surprise for the couple, they were both excited
about her arrival, Mr Johnston said.
She would have been Mr Pitman's 10th child, though a child with his
last partner had died at just 3 months old.
"He was struggling with a few things himself, [but] all his family
that he spoke to since he'd been down here said he looked so much
happier and was doing so well," Mr Johnston said.
The _Otago Daily Times_ has learned Mr Pitman had recently admitted
assaulting Ms Mala.
He pleaded guilty to charges of assault in a family relationship and
resisting police, dated March 21, and was due to be sentenced later
this month.
A summary of facts released by the judge outlines a violent incident
in central Queenstown.
Mr Johnston said he last caught up with Mr Pitman, whom he had known
for well over a decade, a couple of weeks ago.
After identifying their bodies, he established a memorial at the crash
site, which includes a teddy bear attached to butterfly wings and a
pair of pink baby boots.
He said Mr Pitman's body would be returned to Whakapara, in Northland,
for his tangi.
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