Driving charges admitted

AUCKLAND: A teenager has pleaded guilty to all four charges in relation to the Rothesay Bay vehicle crash that killed 17yearold Robbie Cederwall.

Sobbing could be heard in the North Shore District Court yesterday after the pleas were entered.

Judge Nevin Dawson granted continued interim name suppression for the driver.

Counsel Steve Cullen said the 18yearold defendant was ‘‘caught up in quite devastating circumstances’’.

He was in employment and it was causing him enormous stress thinking of the fallout, Mr Cullen said.

The defendant had engaged in consulting and wanted to go through the restorative justice process.

‘‘It’s technically the first appearance on three of the four matters before the court,’’ Mr Cullen said.

The defendant was originally charged with dangerous driving causing injury but on Monday police added three more charges — driving dangerously causing death, failing to stop or ascertain injury and excess breathalcohol for a person under 20.

Shortly after midnight on June 24 a Toyota Hilux, with several people in the vehicle and on the tray, was reportedly doing doughnuts on the beach before it rolled.

Police said the vehicle was righted and the driver fled the scene.

Robbie Cederwall was seriously injured in the crash and died in hospital on June 26.

His vital organs were donated, saving five other lives, his family said.