Jail term for 'real' crash driver

SMASH: The wreckage of the two cars on SH3 near Pahiatua on July 23, 2014.

The family of Cheyenne Ihaka, who died last year when Norman John Harris lost control of his condemned car near Pahiatua, said they had buried Ihaka "under a shadow", believing he had caused the collision with an oncoming car.

Harris, who swapped his dead friend into the driver's seat, appeared yesterday for sentencing before Judge Gerard Lynch, in the District Court at Palmerston North.

The pair were 5km south of Pahiatua, when their car crossed the centre line, colliding with midwife Sheree Painter, who suffered serious leg and abdominal injuries.

Harris, 18, was handed down a prison term of 18 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice, and three months cumulative for careless use of a vehicle causing the death of Cheyenne Ihaka in 2014.

Harris can apply for leave for home detention, once a suitable address is found.

Judge Lynch told Harris his decision to move the body of his friend Cheyenne into the driver's seat following the July 23 crash that claimed his life, was "flawed", and his "attempts at self-preservation were appalling".

Harris's age at the time, and his panic following the fatal crash in which his friend died, were presented in the submission by his lawyer Fergus Steedman.

Cheyenne's great-aunt read a victim impact report for her late nephew's mother.

Cheyenne, 16 at the time of his death, was his "mother's boy, who would do anything for his mother".

"I was shattered when I heard Cheyenne had died. He was my rock and my life. I have to go on living with my other two children."

Her statement continued that Harris told her he moved Cheyenne to perform CPR.

"He lied to me. We buried Cheyenne under a shadow because we were told he was driving the car."

She said it was published widely her son was the driver.

The court heard that Cheyenne's father had earlier died in a vehicle crash, in which the family had to raise funds to pay for the funeral costs.

Cheyenne's family filled the public gallery. Harris's brother, cousin and girlfriend were also in court.

The court was not read the victim impact report of Ms Painter, but Judge Lynch said her statement was harrowing. At a Restorative Justice hearing, she was able to tell Harris the impact the crash had on her life; that she only had minutes to live before the experienced medical team operated, the permanent disability she lived with everyday and the fear she had for her family when they got into a car.