Drunk driver jailed for fatal high-speed police pursuit

Cyril Pomare was sentenced today in the High Court at Auckland. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A young man who killed his passenger in a crash following a high-speed police pursuit through South Auckland has been jailed.

Cyril Pomare, 29, appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Auckland before Justice Mary Peters today for the manslaughter of Rahiri Iehu-Moetara, 27.

Pomare was also discharged on a driving while disqualified charge.

During the early hours of April 27 Pomare and Iehu-Moetara were both drinking at a birthday party in Otara, court documents read.

After 2am the pair left the party in their Honda and began doing burnouts in Mangere.

A police officer parked nearby in an unmarked car witnessed the burnout and followed the vehicle for a short distance but lost sight of it before Gray Ave, near Middlemore Hospital.

The scene of the crash at the intersection of Mangere and Walmsley Roads. Photo / Sam Hurley

The wrecked Honda was found a little further down the same road crashed into a row of shops at the intersection of Mangere and Walmsley Rds.

Iehu-Moetara died at the scene after suffering fractures to his skull and other fatal injuries to his chest and head.

Police crash analysis and CCTV footage showed Pomare was driving at an average speed of 157km/h along Mangere Rd.

Critical vehicle speed calculations also show the car was travelling at a maximum speed of 130km/h while spinning out of control prior to the crash.

When Pomare gave a blood alcohol reading it revealed he was four times over the legal limit.

Pomare's lawyer Ron Mansfield said of his client: "You could not get a young man who is more remorseful for what he has done."

Justice Peters said: "It's one thing to get drunk it's another thing to get behind the wheel, particularly with a passenger."

She sentenced Pomare to four years and eight months' imprisonment.

Pomare was also convicted for drink driving, and sustained loss of traction in January and was disqualified from driving for six months.

Police also referred the pursuit to the IPCA, as is standard practice.