A husband has spoken of his devastation after watching his wife die in a hit-and-run incident involving a stolen car driven by a gang member. The tragedy unfolded in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, when Indian national Anita Rani was struck by a speeding vehicle in November 2023, while visiting the country with her husband.
Harley William John Whaanga, 37, a patched member of the Mongrel Mob gang, was behind the wheel of the stolen car when he hit Rani, who was standing on Naenae Road, The New Zealand Herald has reported. Whaanga, who had been on a burglary spree the night before, was driving at more than twice the speed limit, with the Serious Crash Unit estimating his speed between 77 and 83 km/h.
Rani suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene. A post-mortem revealed she had sustained internal decapitation, multiple spinal fractures, and severe internal bleeding. Her husband, who witnessed the crash, said he felt "helpless" as he watched her die.
Following the crash, Whaanga fled the scene and abandoned the vehicle nearby. He was apprehended by police eight days later and has since pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving causing death, burglary, and failing to stop after an accident.
In court, victim impact statements from Rani's grieving family were read out. Her husband shared the emotional toll the incident has taken on him, stating, "I feel like I'm in a lifelong punishment." The couple had traveled to New Zealand to visit their son after several years apart. Their son also submitted a statement, expressing disbelief and demanding justice for his mother.
During sentencing, Judge Noel Sainsbury condemned Whaanga's actions as "highly dangerous" and criticised his lack of remorse. The court heard evidence of phone calls Whaanga made from prison, in which he used racist and callous language when discussing the victim, showing no regret for his actions. Judge Sainsbury refused to reduce the sentence based on any claim of remorse, citing these conversations.
Whaanga’s troubled upbringing and personal challenges were noted during the proceedings, with the judge acknowledging his difficult past. However, he emphasised that Whaanga's history of offending could not excuse his actions. He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison and disqualified from driving for five years.
"You've spent a lot of your time in prison," Judge Sainsbury told Whaanga, urging him to make changes to his life and avoid being trapped by his addictions.
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