Man was twice over limit after fatal road roller crash

The man died at the scene after crashing into a road roller. Photo / Thinkstock

A Far North man who took a car without permission and crashed into a road roller had drunk more than twice the legal limit before he died.

Rihara Nehe Kokiri, 20, suffered multiple injuries when he crashed on State Highway 10 near Kaeo early on July 15, 2008.

Coroner Sarn Herdson has found he died after consuming 193 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, more than twice the legal limit of 80mg per 100ml.

Mr Kokiri had put in a good day's work breaking in horses with Eric Albert, who he lived with in Kaeo, and another young man.

As a reward, Mr Albert bought them all some pre-mixed alcohol drinks, which they drank that evening until Mr Albert went to bed shortly before midnight.

Mr Kokiri stayed up listening to music and finished the last of the drinks.

He later took Mr Albert's blue Ford Falcon, without permission, and drove along SH10 near Matauri Bay Rd, where he was seen doing burnouts.

The car was later found crashed into a road roller machine, which had been parked at the side of a road where works were taking place.

Mr Kokiri died at the scene despite wearing a seatbelt and the car's airbags having deployed.

The police serious crash unit found the car crashed on a moderate right-hand bend which was covered with loose gravel on a hard base, in preparation for resealing.

Investigators could not determine the speed because of the road surface type.

Coroner Herdson found Mr Kokiri died from multiple injuries from the crash.