A young man driving later than he was meant to, and after consuming alcohol, pleaded guilty this week to causing a crash that killed a woman and injured her daughter on White Pine Bush Road.

Tupaea Purewa Te Mete Mika was 19 when the crash occurred on October 4 last year.

According to the police summary of facts, Mika had gone for “a few beers” after kapa haka practice at a marae in Rūātoki.

He decided he did not want to stay in Rūātoki that night and got behind the wheel. He was the only occupant of his vehicle, driving west on White Pine Bush Road at about 11.30pm.

Mika held a restricted licence, which forbade him from driving alone after 10pm.

The victims – a mother and her adult daughter – were travelling in the other direction towards Mika when he crossed the centreline on a sweeping left-hand bend, into the path of the victims.

The two vehicles collided head-on, and the impact caused the victims’ car to leave the road.

The passenger was trapped in the vehicle and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital after being freed by emergency services. She died of her injuries several hours later.

Her daughter, who was driving, was able to get herself out of their vehicle to check on both her mother and Mika.

She was treated in hospital for a cut on her knee that required stitches, in addition to abrasions, tenderness and bruising.

Mika was taken to hospital following the crash.

A blood sample taken five hours later returned an alcohol level of 53 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. An Institute of Environmental Science and Research expert opinion given to police was that Mika’s blood alcohol level was likely in the range of 100-180mg at the time of the crash.

It is illegal for drivers younger than 20 to have consumed any alcohol before getting behind the wheel. The legal adult limit is 50 milligrams.

When questioned by police, Mika admitted drinking eight to 10 beers at the marae but stated that he could not remember why he was driving or where he was heading.

Mika appeared in Whakatāne District Court yesterday on charges of careless driving under the influence of alcohol causing death and injury.

Defence lawyer Rachael Adams entered guilty pleas on his behalf and sought a referral for restorative justice, because she said the victims’ families had shown a willingness to attend.

Judge Christopher Harding directed the police prosecutor not to read the summary of facts aloud in the hearing due to the length of the document.

He instead ordered it to be released to the press. Ms Adams consented.

Mika was remanded on bail for sentencing on July 31 at Whakatāne District Court