Man admits killing friend in crash

An Opotiki man who caused the death of his friend while driving an illegally modified car at 130km/h after drinking and smoking cannabis has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Caleb Anthony Paikea, 20, appeared in the Whakatane District Court yesterday before Judge Christopher Harding and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Opotiki man Mario Edwards, 19, who was a passenger in his car.

Paikea also pleaded guilty to wounding his girlfriend, Ngawini Taingahue-Beale, the back-seat passenger, with reckless disregard.

He has been remanded in custody until September 29 for sentencing in the High Court at Rotorua.

Prosecuting Sergeant Pete Rankin told the court that on May 23 Paikea was driving his modified 1989 Honda Integra in Opotiki.

On May 7, the car had been issued with a non-operation order for modifications done to the exhaust, engine and suspension.

"The modifications significantly increased the car's power output and had not been certified," Mr Rankin said.

Paikea removed the non-operation sticker and kept driving the car.

On May 23, Paikea went to a party in Opotiki and was seen drinking vodka straight from the bottle, as well as sharing cannabis joints with friends.

Just before 10pm, Paikea and his front-seat passenger, Mr Edwards, went to pick up Paikea's girlfriend, Ms Taingahue-Beale, and were planning to go back to the party.

"When Paikea turned into Wellington St he accelerated hard and reached speeds in excess of 135km/h in a 50km/h area," Mr Rankin said.

While his two passengers screamed at him to slow down, Paikea drove through a stop sign at an estimated speed of 130km/h.

Paikea was seen driving through stop signs without stopping, which he referred to as "doing a chicken run".

The Honda narrowly missed another car before becoming airborne.

"The car travelled about 22m in the air and veered right when Paikea landed on St John Street," Mr Rankin said.

"Paikea steered to the left to correct the car and lost control."

"The car hit a kerb, crashed through a post and wire fence before hitting a mature tree, and then caught fire."

Paikea had told police he drove like a mad man and thought himself invincible.

Ms Taingahue-Beale was taken from the car by bystanders, while Paikea and Mr Edwards had to be cut free.

Mr Edwards died at the scene.

Ms Taingahue-Beale remains in hospital in traction with fractured neck and back vertebrae, a broken femur, dislocated hip and a large cut to the back of her head.

Her long-term prognosis has not been determined.

A blood sample taken from Paikea showed he had 132mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system. The limit is 80mg. His blood is still being analysed for drugs.

Paikea holds only a learner driver's licence.

- DAILY POST