Man admits manslaughter over fatal crash into house

There was significant damage to the house, however no one was home at the time. Photo / Greymouth Star

A drink-driver who crashed into a house while fleeing police at high speed, killing a passenger in his car, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Jordan Nathaniel McGrath, 28, appeared in Greymouth District Court this morning before a Christchurch High Court judge by video link.

He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Judd Hall, as well as other charges of dangerous driving causing injury to a second passenger in his car, Kori Jeffcoat, and driving with excess breath or blood-alcohol on a third or subsequent occasion.

The car that McGrath had been driving at speed crashed into a High Street house in Greymouth about 11.30pm on Friday, January 24, 900m into a police pursuit.

Mr Hall, who was a backseat passenger in the vehicle, died at the scene, while McGrath was seriously injured when he was impaled on a length of timber which was speared through the car and his body.

Mr Jeffcoat was also injured, but not seriously.

McGrath was remanded on bail for sentencing on July 7 in the High Court at Greymouth; the Crown did not oppose the application for bail.

Lawyer Richard Bodle said McGrath was "under no illusion of the ultimate outcome of this matter'', but sought bail to enable him to complete a formal restorative justice conference with Mr Hall's family, undergo a back operation and a psychological evaluation.

"Mr Hall's family are in court and have reiterated their desire to meet with Mr McGrath in a formal setting that will hopefully assist the healing process for both families,'' Mr Bodle said.

As conditions of bail, McGrath is banned from driving and he must reside at a Dillmanstown address.

Justice Gendall issued him with a `three strikes' warning, noting that he will not be eligible for parole if there are any future offences of serious violence.

McGrath, who uttered emphatic ``guilty'' pleas to the three charges, was supported in court by a large gathering of friends and family, while Judd Hall's parents and sister sat quietly on the other side of the public gallery.