A young and talented attorney was struck and killed by a van just moments before she was due to appear in court.
31-year-old Telise Martin from Auckland, New Zealand, was outside Albany’s North Shore District Court when she was hit by a vehicle while standing next to a car at the passenger door on the driver’s side.
“A woman was standing at the rear passenger door on the driver’s side of a car when she was struck by a commercial van coming up the hill,” one onlooker, who witnessed the crash from a nearby café, told Stuff.
According to the local reports, it is believed that Martin was due in the aforementioned court when the accident took place.
“Someone else comforted her and held her hand and the rest of us controlled traffic until the police arrived. It all happened pretty quickly, but it was all pretty shocking,” the witness added.
After the first responders arrived at the scene, the young lawyer was rushed to Auckland Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Following her premature passing, Telise’s colleagues at Martelli McKegg Lawyers paid the young woman a touching tribute in which they dubbed her as “a great person” and a “talented” attorney.
“In every sense, Telise possessed that rare combination of talent and heart, empathy and tenacity required of great advocates,” they said.
“This has left our entire firm at Martelli McKegg in shock and we are all in a state of mourning.”
The statement continued: “More importantly, Telise was a great person – the light shone out of her with great radiance and touched everyone she came across. Her rays of sunshine will be greatly missed by us all.”
The law firm concluded their tribute saying Martin touched every single member of their team while remaining a “deeply respected” employee for years.
“We will hugely miss her presence, guidance and support, particularly the litigation team,” the statement read.
As of this writing, the fatal incident remains under investigation by the Tāmaki Makaurau Serious Crash Unit. Our thoughts remain with Martin’s loved ones during this challenging time.
Recommended Video For You!
This Former Australian Model Probably Has The World’s Longest Legs