A man driving a Tesla that crashed, caught fire, and resulted in the death of his passenger has been found guilty, The New Zealand Herald reported. Auckland lawyer Shubham Kaur tragically died at the scene of the high-speed crash in Taupiri in 2022. The driver, Saurbh Sharma, was charged with careless driving causing Kaur's death.
Judge Glen Marshall has now found Sharma guilty after dismissing his defence, which included an "implausible" claim regarding a post-crash search on his iPhone for "how to delete Tesla recordings." Kaur's family has expressed satisfaction with the verdict but insists that only a jail sentence will bring them justice.
Shubham Kaur, a lawyer from Auckland, died in an accident in January 2022 when a Tesla car driven by Saurbh Sharma crashed and burst into flames at Taupiri. Photo: Supplied / NZME
Sharma's sentencing has been deferred to July, adding further stress for the family. Through his lawyer Shafraz Khan in the Hamilton District Court, Sharma has indicated he might apply for a discharge without conviction, a move that concerns Kaur's family, who feel that even the highest penalty would not be enough for their loss.
Kaur's family, who have faced financial hardships following her death, attended each day of the trial, which was split between Huntly and Hamilton District Courts. The court heard that the crash occurred when Sharma, already convicted for driving at a dangerous speed, lost control of the Tesla, causing it to crash, catch fire, and claim Kaur's life.
Saurbh Sharma, 26, of Auckland pictured outside the Huntly District Court in February during the first two days of his trial. Photo: Supplied / NZME
Judge Marshall dismissed Sharma's explanation that he swerved to avoid a raccoon, calling it "implausible." He found that Sharma was likely distracted by the road conditions and his interaction with Kaur, leading to the crash. Despite efforts by the defence to suggest otherwise, the judge concluded that Sharma's loss of control of the vehicle was the primary cause of the crash.
The crash scene along Dawson Rd after a new power pole had been erected. Photo: Supplied / NZME
The tragic incident underscores the importance of drivers remaining vigilant and attentive, especially on unfamiliar roads, to prevent such devastating outcomes.
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