Actor Cliff Curtis expects to be charged after crashing into house

By RUSSELL BAILIE and NZPA

Cliff Curtis promises never again to use his cellphone while driving.

The film actor was checking a text message when his 4WD hit a parked car, went out of control and crashed into a house near Otaki.

Curtis was driving to the set of the movie River Queen.

He escaped with scratches and bruises, and the woman and cat in the house were not hurt.


The Once Were Warriors and Whale Rider actor said he had apologised to the woman, and he and his sister were trying to contact the neighbours to say he would pay for damage to their fence.

Curtis, who has never had a car accident before, said he had spoken to police and expected to be charged with careless or reckless driving, which he thought was fair enough.

"I wasn't speeding ... I don't drink," the actor said.

"The one stupid thing I did was look at my phone and I shouldn't have done that."

After treatment for his injuries, he went back to work on River Queen.

As for using his cellphone in his vehicle, Curtis has got the message.

"It's not complicated, eh? If you want to use the phone while you're driving, you know the rules - you pull over and use the phone."

National Radio reported that police expected to take several days to decide whether to lay charges.