Driver who killed TV3 staff member was double the legal limit

Slater said Ms Todd's death had left staff "heartbroken" for her daughters and partner. Photo / Supplied

The man who crashed into and killed a TV3 staff member was two times over the legal blood alcohol limit, police allege.

Blair Alick McMillan appeared at the Waitakere District Court last week charged with causing the death of Rebecca Todd while drink driving.

He faces two more charges of injuring Ms Todd's two daughters and is due back in court in August.

According to the police charge sheets in court, McMillan had a blood alcohol reading of 163 milligrams per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

The crash happened on December 21 at the intersection of Muriwai Rd and Hamilton Rd, West Auckland.

Ms Todd died at the scene.

She was head of TV3's graphics team for many years and left the network only to start a family.

Auckland 3 News bureau chief Keith Slater said at the time of the crash that Ms Todd returned on a freelance basis. She worked on news programmes and other shows, such as 7 Days.

He described her as a popular colleague and said her death left her colleagues "visibly shocked" and "heartbroken" for her daughters and partner.