Driver charged with causing fatal crash

Luke MacKenzie, pictured with girlfriend Ashley Sheppard, died in Flat Bush.

A man has been charged with causing the death of young Air New Zealand employee nearly six months after the fatal crash.

Recently promoted Luke MacKenzie, 23, was not supposed to be on the early morning shift at Air New Zealand and was driving to work to cover for a colleague who had called in sick.

But minutes after leaving home on February 24, he was killed instantly when his car and another collided on Chapel Rd, Flat Bush.

Both cars were extensively damaged but witnesses said the driver of the other vehicle was picked up shortly after the collision.

Police caught up with him the next day and he was taken to Middlemore Hospital for treatment for his injuries.

Today 25-year-old Xingyu Shang appeared in Manukau District Court charged with driving carelessly under the influence of drink, drugs or both, causing the death of Mr MacKenzie.

He was also charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The victim had recently been appointed a driver manager at Air New Zealand Parking after working part-time for the company while studying for an AUT bachelor of business degree, majoring in marketing, which he gained late last year.

Shang will appear in court again next month.