Moeraki crash: Driver charged over Ruby Marris death

Jing Cao. Photo / ODT

Name suppression has lapsed for the Chinese man charged with causing the death of an Oamaru 5-year-old in a crash near Moeraki.

Jing Cao (32) was remanded without plea this morning when he appeared before Judge Dominic Flatley in the Dunedin District Court. His bail was extended and he will reappear on April 14.

Kimberley and Tristan Marris with their daughters Georgia, 9, Sophie, 7, and Ruby, 5.

Counsel Anne Stevens said Cao was unlikely to dispute cause of the crash, but there were legal issues to attend.

Ruby Jay Marris was killed on February 21 near Moeraki, Otago, after the tourist allegedly crossed a centre line and crashed into the car carrying Ruby's family.

The scene of the crash.

Cao faces a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of the 5-year-old, and five associated charges of dangerous driving causing injury to Tristan Guy Marris, Kimberley Louise Marris, Sophie Marris, Georgia Marris and Hoo Li Jian.