Luke Bradley Savigny (25) appeared in the High Court at Dunedin this morning before Justice Cameron Mander where he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 32-year-old Christopher Narayan Blair.
Just three days before incident on March 21 this year, the defendant was stopped by police and forbidden from driving since he had never held a licence.
It made no difference.
On the day of the fatal smash, Savigny picked up Mr Blair from South Dunedin and they went to a North East Valley address with two associates.
After a confrontation with a woman, the pair left in her Holden about 5.50am, travelling north at speed.
Witnesses later told police that Savigny had ploughed through road cones in a 30kmh zone in State Highway 1, overtaking other motorists and causing them to take evasive action.
They were captured on CCTV refuelling at a service station in Palmerston.
Savigny subsequently overtook three vehicles, crossing double yellow lines in a 50kmh zone in the township.
At 6.56am, police spotted the defendant passing through Alma, weaving within his lane and crossing the centre line.
Police pursued but Savigny increased his speed to 130kmh.
When officers lost sight of the car they abandoned the chase.
Just minutes later, however, they found the vehicle - split into two pieces at the intersection of Severn St and Wansbeck St in Oamaru.
A serious crash investigation found Savigny hit speeds of 150kmh when he lost control, skidding over a footpath, clattering into a 50kmh speed-limit sign and hitting with five trees.
Such was the force of the crash, Mr Blair's body was thrown 15m from the crash site. He died instantly.
Savigny was hospitalised and a sample of his blood tested positive for cannabis and methamphetamine.
He said he recalled driving erratically that day, but did not remember whether he was driving at the time of the crash.
The court today heard Savigny had previously been convicted on a significant number of driving charges.
Defence counsel Anne Stevens, QC, said her client was willing to participate in restorative justice with Mr Blair's family.
She requested a psychological report on the defendant before sentencing on December 3.
