Man on Pakuranga crash murder charge named

Melissa Viall

The man charged with murder after police alleged he drove his car into a group of people in Pakuranga earlier this month, killing two, is Darin Joseph Gardner.

A court-ordered ruling forbidding publication of the 24-year-old accused murderer's name expired today.

He faces charges of murdering Melissa Viall, 23, after the incident on the Pakuranga Highway on October 8 which also killed a 19-year-old man.

He has been in custody since his first court appearance a fortnight ago and was due to appear again in court next month when police said he would face a charge of murdering and Kane Wright, 19.

Police said he was also likely to be charged over injuries two other people received in the incident.

Gardner allegedly deliberately drove his car into a group of people fighting. As Ms Viall tended to one of the injured, police allege Gardner turned his car around and drove back into the group, killing Ms Viall.

Mr Wright died in Middlemore Hospital the next day.

The incident began near the Caltex service station on Pakuranga Highway, soon after a 21st birthday party at the nearby Tabu bar had ended.

At Gardner's first court appearance the Manukau District Court was told a friend of the accused was badly injured in the brawl, requiring hospital treatment later that day.

The court heard Gardner got into his car and drove into the crowd, hitting the three men, including Mr Wright. He did a u-turn and drove back into the crowd, hitting Ms Viall.

The man had yet to plead but his lawyer Adam Couchman said he would deny the murder charge.

He was remanded in custody.

- NZPA