A 15-year-old has admitted the manslaughter of a woman killed in a crash in rural Canterbury.  

Sandra Loveday, 60, died after the two-car crash on Old West Coast Rd, West Melton on August 7 last year.  

A teenager was also critically injured. 

On Friday, the 15-year-old boy appeared in the High Court at Christchurch before Justice Melanie Harland. 

The teen pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Justice Harland continued interim name suppression, and an interim order suppressing the summary of facts. No conviction has been entered. 

Loveday was a senior legal executive at Canterbury Legal. 

Sandra Loveday was killed in the crash and a teenage boy was critically injured. Photo / George Heard 

The company announced her death on its website. 

“Sandra’s presence within our small team was invaluable, and her professionalism and warmth left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working alongside her,” a statement read. 

“Her loss has left us deeply shocked and saddened, and we are navigating this together. Our thoughts are with Sandra’s family and friends at this difficult time.” 

Canterbury police rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper had earlier told the Herald the region’s road toll was “horrendous”. 

“The amount of trauma it’s caused families in rural Canterbury, they’re suffering,” Cooper said. 

“Crashes like this one are all preventable. It’s an annual message, but drivers need to take the act of driving seriously.” 

Sam Sherwood is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers crime. He is a senior journalist who joined the Herald in 2022, and has worked as a journalist for 10 years. 

This article was originally published on the NZ Herald here.