Ashik Ali, director of Ashik Transport, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a runaway 20-tonne truck with faulty brakes killed road worker Johnathon Walters in Auckland’s Remuera suburb in May 2024.
The truck, long deemed unroadworthy with a history of brake failures and other serious safety issues, had been repeatedly flagged by authorities since 2018 and even had its compliance stickers unlawfully removed.
Despite promises to scrap it, Ali continued using the truck, which fatally struck Walters while reversing uncontrollably down a worksite incline.
Walters later died in hospital from severe injuries.
Ali fled the scene and only later presented himself to hospital. His company had a long record of non-compliance, including ignored repair orders, unpaid road user fees, and using unregistered, unsafe vehicles.
Ali’s sentencing is set to take place in November.
Image credit: Getty Images
