Guilty plea for accident

The father of a 22-year-old Masterton man stood in the dock alongside him as the son was convicted of dangerous driving causing death.

Tyler Jerome Murphy appeared in the Masterton District Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to the charge.

Murphy was 19 when the single-vehicle crash, near Eketahuna, occurred on June 22, 2011, just before 10.30pm. He was cut from the wreckage of the Subaru stationwagon he was driving when it left the road and rolled into a deep culvert before bursting into flames.

His passenger, Tom Morison, 19, died at the scene beside State Highway 2.

Murphy was subsequently flown to Wellington Hospital with life-threatening injuries, including serious head injuries and a broken neck, back and leg.

At his last appearance, in April, defence lawyer Louise Elder said that based on her initial disclosure she could "foresee the need for quite significant and technical health assessment reports".

Murphy needed to be assessed by medical professionals to verify he was fit to stand trial.

On Thursday, Ms Elder said she had discussed reports with Murphy and his father.

"It's now appropriate that a plea be entered," she said.

Judge Tom Broadmore remanded Murphy, at large, to reappear on September 19.

Murphy, a father of one, is now living in Lower Hutt.