Jacob Pakura was killed in a hit-and-run when he was knocked from his skateboard in the early hours of Sunday morning. Photo / Supplied
Jacob Pakura was killed in a hit-and-run when he was knocked from his skateboard in the early hours of Sunday morning. Photo / Supplied
CCTV footage has emerged indicating a man who allegedly hit and killed a skateboarder was under the influence of drugs of alcohol, a court has been told.
Jacob Pakura, a 16-year-old Avondale College student, was hit by a car while skateboarding on Rua Rd on Saturday night.
A man, 33,appeared in the Waitakere District Court today, charged with dangerous driving causing death - which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
He is also charged with failing to stop and ascertain injury or death after a crash, and dangerous driving.
"[The crash] has resulted in the loss of a young and loved 16-year-old male who at the time was enjoying his love of skateboarding and he never got to go home," said community magistrate Dianne Hale.
The police prosecutor said CCTV footage indicated the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol on the night Jacob was run over.
The man, a Chinese national, was assisted by a Mandarin translator. He has been a resident in New Zealand for eight-and-a-half years and his wife is also a resident.
He has two children who are New Zealand citizens and is employed as a fulltime truck driver.
His lawyer argued for name suppression given one of the man's children is at school in the area. She also cited prejudice to a fair trial.
Hale considered that school would be "very challenging" for the child if the public was made aware of the defendant's identity. She granted interim name suppression until his next court date.
"It is important you have the opportunity of suppression in the interim," Hale said.
The man's lawyer also sought bail.
Police opposed this as they considered there was a high risk of the man leaving the country.
Hale said she took note of this opposition and also said she was not confident the man would meet bail conditions of not drinking or driving.
