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Luke Bradley Savigny (25) appeared in Dunedin High Court this morning before Judge Cameron Mander, where he pleaded guilty to the murder of 32-year-old Christopher Narayan Blair.
Just three days before the incident on March 21 this year, the police stopped the defendant and banned him from driving because he had never had a license.
It made no difference.
On the day of the fatal accident, Savigny picked up Mr. Blair from South Dunedin and they went to a North East Valley address with two associates.
After a confrontation with a woman, the couple left in their Holden around 5.50am, traveling north at high speed.
Witnesses later told police that Savigny had crossed road cones in a 30 km / h zone on State Highway 1, overtaking other motorists and prompting them to take evasive action.
They were caught on CCTV refueling at a gas station in Palmerston.
Subsequently, Savigny overtook three vehicles, crossing double yellow lines in a 50 km / h zone in the municipality.
At 6.56 am, police saw the defendant passing through Alma, weaving into his lane and crossing the center line.
Police pursued him, but Savigny increased his speed to 130 km / h.
When the officers lost sight of the car, they abandoned the pursuit.
However, just a few minutes later, they found the vehicle, divided into two parts at the intersection of Severn St and Wansbeck St in Oamaru.
A serious accident investigation found that Savigny reached speeds of 150 km / h when he lost control, skidded on a trail, hit a 50 km / h speed limit sign, and collided with five trees.
Such was the force of the accident that Mr. Blair’s body was thrown 15 meters from the accident site. He died instantly.
Savigny was hospitalized and a blood sample tested positive for cannabis and methamphetamine.
He said he remembered driving erratically that day but did not recall whether he was driving at the time of the accident.
The court heard today that Savigny had previously been convicted of a significant number of driving charges.
Defense attorney Anne Stevens, QC, said her client was willing to participate in restorative justice with Mr. Blair’s family.
He requested a psychological report on the defendant before sentencing on December 3.
