A woman who killed a highly-respected Invercargill social worker in a drink-drive crash has been committed to stand trial for allegedly not stopping after the accident.
Pearl Janine Wiki Te Amo, 25, pleaded guilty in July to drink-driving, causing the death of 39-year-old Michelle Grace but denied a second charge of failing to stop after the accident.
However, two Justices of the Peace ruled today Te Amo had a case to answer, following a depositions hearing at Invercargill District Court.
Ms Grace died on May 15 after her Ford Telstar and a Nissan Terrano, driven by Te Amo, collided at an Invercargill intersection about 11pm.
Te Amo and her partner Nathan Anthony Farrugia were drinking at a work function at the Avenal Tavern that evening but were asked to leave after tavern staff noticed Farrugia's growing intoxication.
Just before 11pm the pair left the tavern in their vehicle, with Te Amo behind the wheel.
Driving east along Gala St, Te Amo crossed through a red light at the intersection of Gala St and Queens Dr, crashing into Ms Grace's Ford Telstar. Ms Grace died at the scene.
Farrugia was sentenced in August to nine months' home detention and disqualified from driving for 12 months after he had earlier admitted driving with a breath alcohol level of 481mcg and assisting Te Amo to avoid arrest.
