Trial set for drug-drive accused mum

Toni Maree Ericksen. Photo / File photo

A woman accused of causing the death of her 12-year-old daughter while driving under the influence of drugs is to stand trial later this month.

Toni Ericksen, 33, appeared briefly before Judge Ema Aitken in Auckland District Court this morning.

Her lawyer, Peter Kaye, said the defence was nearly ready to proceed to trial but was still awaiting approval from the Legal Services Agency for its expert witnesses, who would give evidence about the crash analysis and the blood-alcohol and blood-drug test results.

The trial would take up to five days, but could take longer if one particular expert was called, he said.

Ericksen was remanded on bail. Her case will be called in court again next week but she does not have to appear.

She is charged with causing death while driving under the influence of drugs, two counts of injuring while under the influence of drugs, and one count of being an unlicensed driver, driving while prohibited.

Ericksen's daughter Bryer Greenwood died in hospital from traumatic brain injuries caused by the two-vehicle crash just north of Helensville on July 9 last year.

At the time, emergency services staff said Ericksen was driving Bryer and her sister, Gemma, home after a Saturday morning netball game when the car collided with a four-wheel-drive.

The passenger side of the car, where the girls were sitting, smashed into the oncoming vehicle.

The maximum penalty for killing a person while driving under the influence of drugs is five years in jail or a fine of $20,000.