A motorist was today jailed for killing a pensioner in a head-on smash after he was released on police bail despite being under the influence of drugs.
Drug addict Peter Richard Drinnan was sentenced in the High Court in New Plymouth to six years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of 84-year-old Norman Philip Luscombe.
Mr Luscombe died in February, 2008, several days after his car was struck by Drinnan, who drove his car across the centre line between Normanby and Eltham in his panic to get to New Plymouth for his daily dose of methadone. Drinnan, 39, had been arrested earlier on the day of the accident following a burglary complaint.
He was given bail even though he told a police constable he was under the influence of drugs. Passing sentence Justice Rhys Harrison questioned how Drinnan was released in light of his condition.
Blood tests taken from Drinnan after the accident found he was under the influence of cannabis, methadone and the prescription drug Lorazepam, which he had stolen from his brother.
Police Central District communications manager Kim Perks confirmed last week an internal investigation was ongoing but declined further comment until it was complete.
