Cliff Curtis excused from court following alleged drink driving crash
Wednesday 14 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 8 reports · updated In this story Auckland District Court
Actor Cliff Curtis has been excused from his first court appearance due to internal injuries sustained in a September crash on Auckland's waterfront. He faces charges of reckless driving and causing injury while driving with excess breath alcohol. Authorities allege Curtis was more than 1.5 times the legal limit when his Tesla hit a parked taxi.
Key facts
5 facts
- Cliff Curtis was involved in a Tesla crash on September 23 at Jellicoe and Halsey streets.
- The alleged blood alcohol level was 122mg per 100ml of blood.
- The taxi driver, Gagan Deep Singh, suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and a hip fracture.
- Curtis was excused from his October 15 court appearance due to internal injuries.
- The next court appearance is set for 29 October.
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
Actor Cliff Curtis was excused from his first court appearance at Auckland District Court on Thursday as he recovers from internal injuries at home. His lawyer, Samuel Moore, appeared on his behalf, noting that Curtis could not travel to Auckland to sign bail documents. The actor is scheduled to reappear in court on 29 October.
The charges relate to a September 23 crash at the intersection of Jellicoe and Halsey streets in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter, where a Tesla allegedly struck a parked taxi. Police prosecutor Karamvir Talwar requested that the charge of driving with excess blood alcohol be upgraded to causing injury by driving with excess blood alcohol. Court documents allege Curtis had a blood alcohol reading of 122mg per 100ml of blood.
The collision resulted in serious injuries to taxi driver Gagan Deep Singh, who suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a hip fracture, and head injuries. Another person was taken to hospital in moderate condition, and a third person sustained minor injuries. Curtis reportedly provided first aid to those injured before emergency services arrived.
In a statement, 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. Judge Ajit Swaran Singh granted bail conditions prohibiting Curtis from driving and contacting the taxi driver.
How it developed
- Thu 15 Oct, 10:28amPolice requested to amend the drink driving charge to causing injury by driving with excess blood alcohol, which carries a higher maximum penalty.
- Thu 15 Oct, 10:36amCourt documents revealed the specific blood alcohol reading and identified the taxi driver as Gagan Deep Singh.
Where reports differ
- Reports vary on the specific name of the judge, citing either Ajit Singh or Ajit Swaran Singh.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald, 1News and Otago Daily Times.
