Cliff Curtis faces driving charge

Actor Cliff Curtis faces a driving charge after his vehicle crashed into a house while he was checking a text message on his cellphone.

Curtis, 36, lost control of his Toyota Landcruiser on State Highway 1 on October 18 and ploughed into the living room of an Otaki house.

He was on his way north to film part of his role in the movie River Queen when he said he was distracted by a text message on his mobile phone.

Horowhenua police said he would be charged with careless driving.