Levin man Damian Lawson pleads guilty to Porirua crash death

Damian Lawson was being chased by police when he crashed his car, killing his passenger. Photo/file

A Levin man has admitted killing a young woman after a police chase in Porirua.

Damian Lawson appeared at the High Court in Wellington this morning, and pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing death.

He had been due to stand trial in May for the more serious charge of manslaughter.

Police tried to pull the 42-year-old over in Porirua last May, but he fled and police gave chase.

The pursuit ended less than two minutes later when Lawson crashed into a tree on Kenepuru Drive.

A 21-year-old woman, whose name has been permanently suppressed, died in the crash.

Justice Thomas convicted Lawson this morning and remanded him to May 19 for sentencing.