Tooman had been an avid cyclist and ridden his bike to work each day, Rei said. “He was a kind, lovely man, a true gentleman who always had a smile on his face. “He was an absolute legend in the Manukau District Court and contributed a great deal to society.” In a victim impact statement read to the court, Diane Tooman, Tooman’s sister, said she had no other family she was close to and the pair had lived together. “He was a very private person and yet so dearly loved and respected by so many.” On the morning of Tooman’s death, Diane Tooman said he had been riding his mountain bike to go and volunteer at a local riding for the disabled club.
The fatal crash happened near Allenby park in Papatoetoe back in July.
A 20-year-old man has been charged in relation to a fatal crash, almost five months earlier, which killed a cyclist. The crash happened near Allenby Park in Papatoetoe around 8am on July 23, and left retired probation officer John Tooman in a critical condition. Tooman was originally taken to Auckland City Hospital with critical injuries and underwent surgery, but died a few hours later. Inspector Kay Lane said the man had been charged with reckless driving causing death and would appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday.
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