Central Hawke's Bay man walking home from boozy night struck by his drink-driving mate

Travis Janssen was driving from the Porangahau Hotel to a friend's house, when he hit his friend walking on the side of the road. Photo / File

A man walking home from a boozy celebration in Central Hawke's Bay woke up with a headache of a different kind after being struck by a car driven by his drink-driving mate.

Travis Murray Janssen, 24, pleaded guilty in the Hastings District Court on Tuesday to a charge of causing injury while driving with excess blood alcohol.

On June 10, 2018, Janssen was driving to his friend's house after leaving a celebration. He left the Porangahau Hotel at 2am when he struck a man walking on the road.

That man turned out to be a friend of Janssen's. The friend hit his head on the bonnet and was knocked unconscious and was thrown on the side of the road.

Janssen called for help and his friend was taken back to his house nearby before being taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital for treatment.

The friend suffered concussion, bruising and grazes.

Defence lawyer Richard Stone told Judge Bridget Mackintosh that there were no footpaths in the area and the weather was foggy at the time.

He said Janssen's friend was extremely intoxicated, stumbling onto the road as he walked.

Janssen told police he was driving about 40km/h and didn't see his friend when he accidentally struck him with his ute.

The friend was unable to work for six weeks and had difficulty concentrating.

His injuries were covered by ACC and Judge Mackintosh acknowledged that Janssen was remorseful of the incident.

"You did the right thing by seeking help, this was a serious matter."

Janssen was ordered to pay a fine of $1500 along with $150 towards court costs.

He was also ordered to pay $100 medical expenses and $109.25 for the ESR analysis.