Car crash victim had drink drive history

A man killed in a road crash near Te Puke on Wednesday had seven convictions for drink-driving and had been ordered by the court not to drink alcohol.

Dylan Hogg, 34, of Welcome Bay, died when his car hit a power pole on Manoeka Rd. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

In 2005, Mr Hogg was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for drink-driving and was denied leave for home detention. Again last year, he was caught drink-driving and in March this year was sentenced to seven months' jail.

Mr Hogg was indefinitely disqualified from driving and, under current bail conditions for a common assault charge, was not permitted to consume alcohol.

His cousin Reon Hogg said Dylan was trying to sort his life out and was spending more time with his young daughter.

"We were quite close. As much as we were cousins, we were like brothers. We used to hang around a lot."

Reon Hogg, 32, said he had not seen his cousin for a few weeks and did not know what he was doing in Te Puke when the crash occurred about 12.50am.

He said his cousin had struggled with alcohol in the past.

"I know many, many years ago he had some issues but as for in recent years he was trying to get himself all sorted out.

"He was certainly trying to be a more dedicated father. His daughter was very much a big focus in his life."

Reon Hogg said he thought Dylan's daughter still very much needed her father and would feel the loss.

"They were very close, in fact, he very much lived for the time that he could spend with her.

"I don't think it's easy on anyone to lose a parent, particularly when you're very young."

Reon Hogg said his cousin "really didn't take life too seriously".

"He sort of liked to take life at his terms and his pace.

"He was a very down-to-earth guy, loved a good laugh."

Dylan Hogg worked as an interior plasterer and in his spare time loved fishing and gardening.

He had spent most of his life in the Bay of Plenty and Reon Hogg said the pair spent a lot of time together during their teenage years.

They often biked around Tauranga and Mt Maunganui together and ventured into the bush to explore.

Reon Hogg said his cousin was also very keen on music.

"He played the electric guitar, he spent a lot of his spare time with his music," he said.

Reon Hogg said Wednesday had been a tough day for the family.

"Most of us are coping quite well at this point, I think it will hit some of us over the coming days."

As of last weekend, 915 drink-drivers had been caught on Bay of Plenty roads this year.

Last year, 1861 people were caught.

Alcohol has been a factor in half the fatal crashes on Western Bay roads this year.