KEY POINTS:
A teenager who lost control of his car at high speed, killing his friend, believed he was invincible.
In Christchurch District Court yesterday Ian Campbell King, 18, pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving causing death, excess breath alcohol and assaulting police.
Judge John Strettell told King he believed jail was the inevitable outcome.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Ash Tabb told the court King lost control of his Subaru Legacy at 90km/h. The vehicle mounted a pedestrian island, continued over the centre island, skidded along the kerb and hit a tree, before felling a power pole 17m down the road.
Ambulance officers were unable to resuscitate King's passenger, Alexander James Taylor.
King had an alcohol level of 876mcg per litre of breath.
As he was being taken to the police station to give an evidential blood test, King began to breathe heavily and snort before spitting into the face of a police officer. Mr Tabb said King told police he was "well drunk" and thought he was invincible.
Judge Strettell convicted King and remanded him on bail for probation and victim impact reports before sentencing on September 26.
- NZPA
