A young man responsible for causing a fatal crash on White Pine Bush Road in October has been jailed for more than a year.

Tupaea Purewa Te Mete Mika was drunk and driving later than his restricted licence allowed him to, when his vehicle crossed the centreline directly into the path of the victims’ vehicle on October 4 last year.

He was 19 at the time and had one previous conviction for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Mika was sentenced by Judge Louis Bidois in Whakatāne District Court last week to 14.5 months’ imprisonment for charges of careless driving under the influence of alcohol causing death and careless driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury.

Upon his release from prison, he will be required to install an alcohol interlock device on any vehicle he drives.

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 Whakatāne 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.

Speaking after the sentencing, Eastern Bay of Plenty road policing manager Sergeant Shane Tailby said the crash had devastating consequences – not only for the young driver and his family, but also for the family who lost a loved one in the incident.

“New Zealand’s graduated driver licensing system and zero-alcohol laws exist to prevent such tragedies.

“While the driver made the decision to get behind the wheel, this case serves as a sobering reminder to all parents of young drivers: reinforce safe driving behaviours, ensure your teen understands and follows licence restrictions, and hold them accountable when they don’t.”

“The judiciary has sent a strong message: such offending will not be tolerated, and restrictive sentences will be imposed regardless of prior driving or criminal history,” Mr Tailby said.

“Now 20 years old, the driver will carry a criminal conviction for the rest of his life, impacting his ability to travel and limiting future job opportunities. But the most painful consequence is the enduring emotional burden of knowing a life was lost.”

Mr Tailby said although crashes like this were preventable, police had already attended six fatal crashes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty this year, matching the total road toll recorded in the region in 2024.

“We all have a role to play in preventing these tragedies. Let’s do everything we can to ensure our loved ones make it home safely.”