'Black Widow' Helen Milner's son driver in fatal crash

Adan Kearns reportedly received moderate injuries in the crash. Photo / Supplied

The driver of a car that crashed, killing one man and injuring a woman, is the son of Christchurch's infamous "Black Widow" murderer.

Adam Kearns, 24, was on home detention when the Subaru he was driving crashed into two parked vehicles on Wairakei Rd, Christchurch, at about 7.45pm on Wednesday.

He is the son of convicted murderer Helen Milner, dubbed the Black Widow, who was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her husband Philip Nisbet in 2009 by poisoning him with the allergy drug Phenergan.

Wednesday night's crash killed 24-year-old Nicholas Brent Morrison and injured a 25-year-old woman, who remains in a serious but stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.

Corrections district manager Lisa Taitua confirmed Mr Kearns is currently on home detention for previous offending.

"During the time of this incident he was on an approved absence. Corrections is unable comment further on the individual management of this offender."

Mr Kearns received moderate injuries in the crash.

Police reported yesterday afternoon that the car drive was recovering at home.

Detective Sergeant Geoff Ruddick said the cause of the crash was being investigated, but it was believed speed was a "significant contributing factor".

Helen Milner on trial in the High Court in Christchurch. Photo / Martin Hunter

This is not the first time Mr Kearns has hit headlines.

In April, he appeared in Christchurch District Court after being arrested late last year on suspicion of dealing drugs.He pleaded guilty to selling cannabis, possession of cannabis, and unlawful possession of a gun.

He was sentenced to eight months' home detention, 150 hours of community work.

Then, in July, he was sentenced to four months' home detention and 250 hours of community work after he was found guilty of punching and stomping on former All Black Justin Marshall outside a Queenstown bar on Good Friday in 2013.