All Blacks rugby star’s daughter admits hit-and-run death on her way home from Christmas party

The daughter of former All Blacks star Ron Cribb has pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run incident that left a 65-year-old man dead on a country road.

Helena Jade Cribb, 22, appeared in North Shore District Court on Thursday charged with the death of Jason Collins, who was found by a passer-by on O’Brien Road in Lucas Heights, north of Auckland, on December 7, 2023.

Cribb, who works in advertising, was charged in April this year after she heard reports of Collins’ death and handed herself in to police.

On Thursday, she pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing Collins’ death, her attorney Adam Holland told local media. Stuff.

Cribb will be sentenced in December.

The court was told Cribb was “very drunk”, had “slurred speech” and was “aggressive” at the Christmas party on the night of the crash.

A colleague had arranged an Uber to take Cribb to her car in the CBD, after she promised to just sleep in the car and charge her phone, and not drive herself.

Helena Jade Cribb has pleaded guilty to fatally hitting Jason Collins (pictured) on a country road

When the Uber dropped her off at 11:28 p.m., Cribb got behind the wheel and began the 15-mile journey to her home.

Cribb’s vehicle struck Mr Collins while she was driving on O’Brien Road, a paved country road with a 60 km/h speed limit.

His body was dragged 100 feet (31 meters) by Cribbs’ car and rolled another 23 feet (7 meters) through the air.

Investigation at the scene revealed that Mr Collins was lying in the road when he was hit.

“We will never know how he got onto the road,” Judge Murray previously told the court.

Mr Collins suffered serious internal injuries to his head and body, which would likely have been fatal even if Cribb had stopped immediately to help.

There were no witnesses to the crash and Mr Collins’ body was found in the early morning of December 7.

Cribb went to police after hearing the news of Collins’ death, but claimed she did not know if she had hit anyone.

All she could remember was feeling a big jolt, like driving through a pothole, when she turned up the radio.

The underside of Cribb’s car was badly damaged, causing it to break down the next morning.

Cribb, the 22-year-old daughter of All Blacks star Ron Cribb (pictured in 2007), will be sentenced in December for reckless driving

Pieces of plastic from the underside of her car were later found at the crime scene.

According to police, the accident was likely caused by Cribb being distracted by adjusting her radio.

Collins’ family said he was a beloved father, husband and friend.

“The tragic loss of Jason has left an unfillable void in our hearts,” the two said.

‘His passing has come far too soon for us. It is a deep and senseless blow that we find difficult to comprehend.

‘Every day is a battle against the overwhelming void he leaves behind.’