Drinking, driving led to death of brother

A drink-driver has admitted causing the death of his younger brother after he was knocked off the bonnet of the car as they sped along a Tauranga beach.

Luke McGregor, 25, was behind the wheel when his 23-year-old brother Jordan fell under the vehicle on Omanu Beach in Mt Maunganui on February 27.

Tauranga District Court was told the men had been on a fishing trip at nearby Matata with their older brother Joshua and three friends.

They drove back to Tauranga where they bought more alcohol, before Luke drove the vehicle on to Omanu Beach around 12.55am.

Jordan lay on the bonnet of the vehicle, holding on to the window wipers, and another friend lay on the boot, holding on to the rear doors through the open windows.

As Luke drove at speeds of up to 70km/h, the vehicle struck a large log, sending the car airborne and causing Jordan to lose his grip on the wipers.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Luke pleaded guilty this week to one charge of dangerous driving and one charge of driving with excess breath alcohol causing death.

Police breath testing found Luke had an excess breath alcohol of 446 micrograms at the time. The limit is 400mcg.

Luke will reappear in Tauranga District Court on June 21 for sentencing.