Man finally charged over motorcyclist's death

Brett and Maria Sutherland with their son's Ducati at the site of his crash. Photo / Doug Sherring

After more than five months and numerous appeals for information, a man has been charged with causing the death of an Auckland motorcyclist.

On April 11, 17-year-old Brody Sutherland was riding his Ducati on Stancombe Rd in Flat Bush - just down the road from his family home - when he was hit by another vehicle and killed.

Despite it being a busy street, few witnesses came forward and the investigation stalled for weeks.

Brody's parents Maria and Brett, desperate for information, parked their son's motorcycle atop a white ute with "witness needed" emblazoned on its side by the scene of the crash.

Police also issued media releases urging the public to speak out if they saw the incident and those efforts eventually bore fruit.

Samuel James Young, 17, appeared in Manukau District Court last week charged with careless driving causing death, a charge which carries a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment or a $4500 fine.

No plea was entered and he will be back before the court next month.

Mrs Sutherland believed her son was heading to a friend's house for a boys' night out after work when a car pulled into his path.

He slid off the bike and, before he could get up, he was struck by a ute coming in the opposite direction.

She previously told the Herald on Sunday the sudden death of their son was a devastating blow to the family and she wanted people to know he was not a teenage hoon.

Brody started riding when he was 7 and was an avid moto-cross and trailbike rider.

Mr Sutherland said his son had saved hard to buy the 400cc Ducati, which he said was his "pride and joy".