Driver accused of hitting girls likely to plead guilty

The scene where two girls were hit by a vehicle which left the road in Manuwera late last year. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A 27-year-old Auckland man accused of trying to flee the scene after his car ploughed into two young girls has indicated he will plead guilty.

Fereti Aiono faces two charges of causing bodily harm while driving over the legal breath alcohol limit, one charge of driving while disqualified and one charge of failing to stop when someone was injured, after allegedly hitting the girls, aged 8 and 11 in Manurewa on December 22.

The 8-year-old suffered serious injuries and the 11-year-old minor injuries. One of the girls was reportedly left with a tyre mark across her back after being pinned under the car's wheels.

Aiono's bodily harm charge includes driving with a breath alcohol level of 503mg, over the legal 400mg limit.

He remained expressionless and kept his head bowed throughout the proceedings at Manukau District Court today, and as in previous court appearances he wore a green camouflage-patterned sweatshirt.

Aiono's wife declined to comment outside court but sat in court alongside other family members to support him.

His lawyer, Hermann Retzlaff, indicated his client would plead guilty to the charges.

"There's a willingness to intimate a guilty plea," he told Judge Gerard Winter.

Mr Retzlaff said his client's bail address had been "deemed not feasible" and agreed to a police request for more time to complete an investigation.

Aiono was remanded in custody until his next appearance in April for an inquiry hearing.

Following the crash, the accused's sister told APNZ that Aiono was "devastated, not only for his family but for the other families".