Murder-charge driver named

The man charged with murder after a car was driven into a group of people in Pakuranga this month, fatally injuring two, is Darin Joseph Gardner.

A court ruling forbidding publication of the 24-year-old's name expired yesterday.

He is charged with murdering Melissa Viall, 23, after the incident on Pakuranga Highway on October 8 which also left 19-year-old Kane Wright with fatal injuries.

Gardner has been in custody since his first court appearance a fortnight ago and is due to appear again next month, when police say he will face an additional charge of murdering Mr Wright.

Detectives say he is also likely to be charged over injuries two other people received in the incident.

He has yet to plead but his lawyer, Adam Couchman, said he would deny the murder charges.

- NZPA