Crash charge upgraded to manslaughter

A man originally charged with dangerous driving in connection with a fatal crash on Auckland's North Shore has now been charged with manslaughter.

Cornelis Klein, 50, faced the new charge when he appeared in North Shore District Court today.

The crash in February resulted in the death of 71-year-old Michael Roden Plimmer.

The original dangerous driving charge will now be withdrawn.

Klein's lawyer Murray Gibson requested a remand to the Mason Clinic for psychiatric supervision.

Speaking from the dock, Klein said he was "extremely sad" and had a lot of remorse.

"A man was killed and I'm very sorry about that," he said.

Judge Lawrence Hinton remanded Klein until May 24 for a plea inquiry hearing and a post committal hearing was set down for July 2.

Police have alleged Klein began screaming and shouting about killing himself to the 18-year-old daughter of his former partner as he drove around Albany on February 2.

They say she convinced him to stop and let her out and called police.

A police car which was sent in response to the 111 call passed Klein's Jeep. He allegedly followed and rammed the police car, shunting it 50 metres into an intersection before the Jeep rolled on top of Mr Plimmer's car.

A total of eight vehicles were damaged in the incident.

At Klein's previous appearance on April 9 the court was told a doctor had found he was fit to stand trial.

- NZPA