Te Kuiti man Broc Kawhena has admitted driving drunk and causing the death of 17-year-old Ocean Heke.
It's nearly a year since the bubbly teenager' died on the side of State Highway 3 near Otorohanga.
Kawhena made a brief appearance in the High Court at Hamilton today and pleaded guilty to a charge of being in charge of a transport service vehicle while under the influence of drink causing death on April 3, last year.
![Broc Kawhena, 21, leaves the Hamilton District Court after an earlier appearance. Photo/File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/QI5OIWBEGKIQBNCVBOLP22QG44.jpg?auth=2d4574f82b786df22bfb390b657fd6d51cde99da1829037ccbee885a56768934&width=16&height=15&quality=70&smart=true)
He had also faced the more serious charge of manslaughter, but today he admitted the lesser charge. The manslaughter charge will be withdrawn.