A 54-year-old Northland man has been charged with killing a pizza delivery driver while driving with an excess breath alcohol level.
Howard Patrick Latimer, a roofer from the Regent in Whangarei, has appeared in the Whangarei District Court and has been remanded in custody.
Latimer has been charged with causing the death of 22-year-old Hunter MacKenzie, who was delivering pizza for Domino's, while his breath alcohol level was 645 micrograms.
The charge also notes that Latimer has been convicted on at least two previous occasions on driving with an excess breath alcohol level.
He has been remanded in custody until Monday when he will appear by a video link for a bail hearing.
Mr MacKenzie, of Ruakaka, died in Whangarei Hospital on Wednesday night after the crash at the intersection of Dent and Norfolk Streets about 6.50pm.
As a mark of respect the Water St Domino's outlet, where Mr MacKenzie had worked for a few weeks, and the Kamo outlet were closed.
The two outlets were opened again yesterday.
Police alleged Latimer, who was driving a blue-coloured Toyota Rav 4, was found still sitting in his vehicle in the driveway of a property a short distance away from the crash.
Latimer failed an initial screening test and was taken to Whangarei Police Station where he allegedly recorded a level of 645 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.
The legal limit for drivers aged 20 and over is 250mcg.
Police were appealing for anyone who might have seen the Toyota Rav 4 in the area around the time of the crash to contact them on 0800 555 111 or Whangarei station on 09 4304500.