Port Chalmers fatal crash: Man accused of manslaughter named in court

John Douglas Taylor, 44, of Milton, died at the scene. Photo / Ben Tomsett

A man charged with manslaughter over a fatal Port Chalmers crash can now be identified after interim name suppression lapsed in the Dunedin High Court today.

Morgan Caleb Morrell, 24, is accused of being behind the wheel of a vehicle that lost control and crashed into a power pole on Wickliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers, about 9.10pm on January 30.

John Douglas Taylor, 44, of Milton, died at the scene.

Two other people were in the vehicle at the time.

One suffered serious injuries and another sustained minor injuries.

One person died after a single-vehicle crash on Wickliffe Rd, Dunedin. Photo / Ben Tomsett

Morrell faces one charge of manslaughter, two charges of dangerous driving causing injury, and one charge of failing to stop to ascertain injury.

Appearing by audio visual link while in custody, Morrell entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

During the hearing, defence counsel John Westgate said there were no grounds to continue name suppression.

A case review hearing has been set down for May 12, with a tentative trial date set for February 2028.

Morrell remains in custody while arrangements are made for a hearing on an application for electronically monitored bail.

Emergency services were called to Wickliffe Terrace following the single-vehicle crash, and the Serious Crash Unit investigated the circumstances.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.