Mum in fatal crash banned and had taken P, say court documents

Toni Maree Ericksen. Photo / NZ Herald

A mother facing drug driving charges over a crash that killed her 12-year-old daughter had methamphetamine in her system and was banned from driving just eight days earlier, police say.

Toni Maree Ericksen, 32, has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of drugs causing the death of her eldest daughter, Bryer, and will stand trial this year.

She also faces three related charges - injuring her 8-year-old daughter Gemma Greenwood and another motorist while under the influence of drugs, and being an unlicensed driver driving while prohibited.

Ericksen was driving her two daughters home from Gemma's netball game last July 9 when she lost control of her car on Kaipara Coast Highway and collided with an oncoming vehicle.

Her lawyer said she "vehemently denies" being affected by drugs.

But court documents released to the Weekend Herald yesterday allege she tested positive for methamphetamine soon after the crash.

"A blood sample taken from the defendant shortly after the accident revealed that she had methamphetamine in her system," a summary of the police allegations states.

The summary also reveals Ericksen had been forbidden to drive on July 1 last year "due to the fact that her learners licence had expired in 2009".

On the day of the crash, road conditions were dry and the weather was clear and sunny.

Ericksen remains on bail until March, when a date for her trial in the Auckland District Court will be set.