Charges over death

Police have charged the driver of a BMW that crashed, killing a 26-year-old bride on her way home from her wedding.

A man from Mt Eden faces four charges in the Auckland District Court, including driving nearly two times over the legal alcohol limit, and dangerous driving causing injury to his two passengers and the death of the bride, Yan Liu.

The accused - whose occupation is listed as a driver in court documents - offered to give Liu a ride home just hours after she walked down the aisle at Beach Haven Anglican Church, last November.

Liu's new husband, Quiong Mao, 28, said he would drop a drunk guest at home after the reception dinner at the East Tamaki restaurant, Jade Terrace, and then meet his wife at their home.

Sadly, Liu never made it, and neither did the cameras filled with wedding pictures, which were smashed in the crash at the intersection of Southeastern Highway and Carbine Rd in Mt Wellington.

The driver suffered minor injuries and the other passenger was taken to hospital.

"I should have been in the same car with my wife, but the car already had four people so I said I would take another friend home first.

"I wish things could be different." Mao told the New Zealand Herald, at the time.