Drunk driver admits killing father-of-three

Father-of-three Craig Allan Culley was only a few hundred metres from his central Tauranga home when he was struck down and killed by a drunk teenage driver.
Mr Culley was walking along Cameron Rd when 19-year-old David Gundersen slammed into the electrician, throwing him 38m down the road.

In Tauranga District Court yesterday, Gundersen, an apprentice builder, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and another charge of driving with excess blood alcohol on December 4 last year.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Barry Woon told the court Gundersen was driving home with a friend after leaving a central Tauranga nightclub about 3.15am.

Mr Culley, 47, was walking home on Cameron Rd and was not far from his new home.

Gundersen was seen driving at speed just as Mr Culley stepped out from the traffic island in the middle of Cameron Rd.

Evidence from the scene revealed Gundersen's car was travelling at no less than 93km/h before he braked and Mr Culley had been hit at between 70 and 80km/h.
A blood sample from Gundersen showed he had 71 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, more than twice the legal limit for drivers under 20 years of age.

Judge Peter Rollo remanded Gundersen on bail to reappear on May 17 for sentence, and allow time for a pre-sentence report and victim impact statements to be completed.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES