Cliff Curtis pleads guilty after Auckland drink-driving crash injured taxi driver
The New Zealand actor pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving with excess blood alcohol causing injury. A judge granted requests for restorative justice and a transfer to Rotorua.
Actor Cliff Curtis pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving with excess blood alcohol causing injury in Auckland District Court on 29 October, according to RNZ. The charges followed a September crash involving a taxi driver; Curtis remains on bail ahead of sentencing.
Curtis appeared by video link, and his lawyer, Samuel Moore, entered the pleas on his behalf. Judge Tiffany Cooper granted Moore’s requests to refer the case to restorative justice and move it to Rotorua, where Curtis is based, RNZ reported.
The Auckland crash and the taxi driver’s injuries
The crash happened on 23 September at the intersection of Jellicoe and Halsey streets in central Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, the New Zealand Herald reported. Authorities had previously told the Herald that Curtis’ Tesla struck a parked Toyota Prius taxi at about 10.30pm. Firefighter Michael Manning described a difficult effort to free a person trapped in the taxi while crews provided advanced life support before ambulances arrived.
Taxi driver Gagan Deep Singh told the Herald he suffered eight broken ribs, a broken collarbone and other injuries to his head, hip and hand. He described bleeding in his lungs and said he needed oxygen for nearly five days. His account gives the injury charge a human consequence beyond the court proceedings.
Charging documents seen by RNZ alleged Curtis had 122 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The Herald reported that a reading of 80 milligrams or more can lead to criminal prosecution for an adult in New Zealand. Curtis had missed an earlier court appearance while recovering at home from injuries sustained in the crash, RNZ said.
What happens before Curtis is sentenced
RNZ reported that Curtis will return to court for sentencing next year. The Herald said Judge Cooper had set a February date in Rotorua, but Moore asked whether sentencing could be brought forward to before Christmas. The timing of any change was not immediately clear.
The excess blood alcohol causing injury charge carries a maximum of five years in prison or a NZ$20,000 fine, along with a driving disqualification of at least 12 months, according to RNZ. RNZ reported that reckless driving carries a maximum of three months in prison or a NZ$4,500 fine and at least six months’ disqualification. These are statutory maximums; the court has not sentenced Curtis.
In a statement released before the hearing, Curtis said: ‘I made a devastating mistake, and I'll have to live with the consequences and do what I can to address the harm caused. I am deeply sorry.’ He added that his thoughts were with the injured taxi driver and his family, RNZ reported.
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Sources and context
- Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis pleads guilty to drink-driving chargesRNZ
- Cliff Curtis admits drink-driving crash, faces up to five yearsNew Zealand Herald
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.