Monday September 22, 2003
NZ Herald

An 18-year-old Hamilton man has appeared in court on seven charges after a car containing nine people hit a power pole early on Saturday, killing one of the occupants.

Karl Tairi, a labourer, faces seven charges including manslaughter, driving recklessly, failing to stop for police and leaving the scene of an accident.

He appeared in court with a bandage over his forehead, a cut nose and a bruised right eye.

He was remanded on bail for a depositions hearing in the Hamilton District Court on November 27.

A condition of his bail is that he does not attend the funeral of the Hamilton teenager, Nicholas Derek Smith, 17, who died in the accident.

Six other people were injured in the crash, including the dead boy's 16-year-old girlfriend who is in serious condition with a broken pelvis, broken arms and legs and head injuries.

The crash happened just after midnight on the corner of Morrinsville and Morris Rds in Hillcrest.

It is believed the nine young people, none of whom was wearing a seatbelt, were on their way home from a party.


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