A man has admitted running over a mother of three, who later died of her injuries, when he drove while over the legal alcohol limit.
Wilson Bernard Rangi Wirihana, 61, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one charge of driving with excess breath-alcohol causing injury.
The Whanganui District Court heard that around 9pm on June 14 Wirihana was driving his car in Puriri St when he ran over a person witnesses had seen on the road. Another vehicle behind his also ran over Ngawaiata Taurerewa, 26, who later died at the scene. Police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Morrison said both cars had stopped after driving over her. A roadside breath test showed Wirihana to have 513mcg of alcohol in his system.
Counsel Roger Crowley said his client wanted to engage in the restorative justice process and the matter should be remanded until that had been done.
Judge Gregory Ross said he would enter no conviction pending the restorative justice meeting and said Wirihana would be subject to a report before sentencing.