Mother of teen killed in street race: 'We don't need this kind of reminder'

Dylan Chad (L) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tyler Hoyle (R) who died on August 1, 2013. Photo / Supplied

The mother of a teenage boy killed in a street race says seeing one of the men responsible for the death of her son back before the courts on a driving charge was "disrespectful" to her family and the memory of her son.

Dylan Chad, 19, pleaded guilty today to a charge of driving while disqualified after he was caught behind the wheel while serving a three-year disqualification.

In February last year Chad and friend Calum Elliot, 20, jointly pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tyler Hoyle, who died on August 1, 2013.

Elliot and Chad were racing each other on Scott Rd in Hobsonville when Tyler was struck by Elliot's vehicle and died instantly.

The two teenagers were both sentenced to nine months home detention and a three year disqualification from driving.

Last week, Chad appeared in the Waitakere District Court after being caught driving on Waimumu Rd in Massey, only 10 minutes away from where the fatal accident happened.

Today he pleaded guilty to the charge, which was a relief for Tyler's family, who were in court today.

Eileen Hoyle, Tyler's mother, said she felt "disappointed, but not surprised" that Chad was back in court less than two years since his first appearance.

"As far as I can tell he doesn't think he's partly responsible [for Tyler's death].

"He needs to understand what he has done."

After Tyler's death Mrs Hoyle kept in close contact with Chad and Elliot, regularly sending text messages to the two teenagers and thinking of their well being often, she said.

Mrs Hoyle said she doesn't regret supporting Elliot and Chad in the wake of Tyler's death, but said she had ended the contact.

"I did it for Tyler and because it was how I was coping with my grief... but now I've deleted their numbers from my phone."

Being back in court was the last thing she wanted for her family, Mrs Hoyle said.

"We don't need this kind of reminder, we've got enough reminders everywhere we go.

"It's disrespectful to our family and it's disrespectful to Tyler this close to the second anniversary."

Tyler's father David Hoyle said the process of being back in court and seeing Chad break the law with a car "back-dated [their grief] two years".

"It feels how it did two years go. That gut-churning feeling, it's back with a vengeance."
Elliot was in court today to support Chad, who was joined by several members of his family.

Mrs Hoyle said she thought Tyler would be disappointed in Chad.

"Tyler would be disappointed in him, I know he would."

The maximum penalty for driving while disqualified is a three month term of imprisonment or a fine of $4500.

He will be sentenced on August 10 and Mrs Hoyle said she would be back in court to see his sentencing.

"I've got to see this through," she said.