Man admits killing cousin in car crash

A young man accused of abandoning his badly injured cousin in a ditch after a car crash in January has admitted causing his death.

Larry Rima Hati's Ford Falcon crashed into a tree near Palmerston North about midnight on January 11, and he and another cousin fled the scene, leaving the injured 17-year-old Jordan Bowler.

A police search party failed to find Mr Bowler but his father found him lying under bushes near the crash scene nine hours later.

He died in Wellington Hospital six days later.

Appearing in Palmerston North District Court yesterday, Larry Rima Hati pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing Mr Bowler's death and driving while disqualified, the Manawatu Standard reported.

Hati, a 21-year-old freezing worker from Feilding, pleaded not guilty to failing to stop and check for injuries after the accident.

He was remanded to reappear on May 15, when there was a prospect of some resolution on the third charge, his lawyer Peter Coles said.

Judge Les Atkins bailed Hati but warned him to adhere to his bail terms or risk being placed in custody.

- NZPA