Cliff Curtis pleads guilty to drink-driving and reckless driving charges

Actor Cliff Curtis pleaded guilty to reckless driving and causing injury by driving with excess blood alcohol via video link in the Auckland District Court on Thursday. The charges stem from a September 23 crash where his Tesla hit a parked Toyota Prius taxi at the intersection of Jellicoe St and Halsey St in Wynyard Quarter.

The 58-year-old actor had a blood alcohol reading of 122mg per 100ml of blood, which is more than double the criminal limit of 80mg. The collision left taxi driver Gagan Deep Singh with serious injuries, including eight broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a hip fracture, and head injuries.

Curtis' lawyer, Samuel Moore, requested the case be transferred to Rotorua, where the actor is based and recovering from his own internal injuries. Judge Tiffany Cooper KC granted the transfer and a restorative justice referral, remanding Curtis on bail until a sentencing date in February.

The charge of driving with excess blood alcohol causing injury carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. Previously, the reckless driving charge carried a maximum of three months' imprisonment and a $4,500 fine.

Where reports differ

• One report notes the crash occurred at approximately 10.30pm, while others do not specify the time.

Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald, 1News and Otago Daily Times.