Police originally feared that Mr Brunsden would die from his injuries.
This morning a Christchurch District Court hearing at Nga Hau E Wha Marae heard he was "slowly recovering'' but remained in a "serious'' condition.
Unemployed Stade, from Christchurch, pleaded guilty today to a charge of injuring Mr Brunsden by careless driving while under the influence of drink but not having committed an offence under drink-driving laws.
He also admitted a charge of giving police false information.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Berryman told the court Stade had been drinking with friends at a house in Linwood on August 19.
He said: "The accused drove out the driveway and felt a bump. He drove backwards to see what it was and realised he had driven over the victim, who was seriously injured.
"He phoned 111 and then hid his Mitsubishi vehicle in a garage, and informed police he did not know the victim had received injuries.
"With the information the police believed he was the victim of a hit and run.
"The victim received serious life-threatening injuries and police initially considered it as a potential homicide inquiry. There was a waste of many hours of police resources.
"Later, the accused admitted that he lied to police. He had said he didn't know why he'd lied.''
Stade's solicitor Michelle Barrell said the victim was a close friend of her client.
She added: "I understand the victim is still not able to talk and is still relatively serious.''
Judge Robert Murfitt deferred sentence until March in order for the victim to make a recovery, and for reports to be compiled.
