Police are searching for a man suspected of causing a crash which killed a Northland mother in the Bay of Islands last week.
The 49-year-old Aucklander, who has not yet been charged, checked himself out of Whangarei Hospital after treatment for his injuries.
The man's 4x4 allegedly crossed the centre line on State Highway 10 south of Kerikeri a week ago and collided with a car, killing its driver, Kerikeri woman Katherine Kennedy, 46.
A witness told the Northern Advocate the two men in the 4x4 appeared to be "so drunk they could barely walk".
Police had conducted an initial interview with the driver and were awaiting the results of a blood-alcohol test before making a decision on laying charges.
More than 300 people attended Ms Kennedy's funeral in Kerikeri on Monday.
