Police officer in court over death of teenage girl

Friday, 22 August 2025

A police officer charged following a pursuit that ended with the death of a 17-year-old girl has been granted interim name suppression at his first court appearance.

Angel Tiana Riley, 17, died after her Toyota Corolla hit a tree on December 22, 2023, following the police pursuit near her home in Whangārei.

On Friday, the 52-year-old officer appeared at the Whangārei District Court via a video link.

The officer, who was granted interim name suppression, is charged with dangerous driving causing death - a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment or a fine totalling no more than $20,000.

In June - when Riley’s family were advised the charge was to be laid - her father said it had been a difficult 18 months to get to that point.

Police previously said Officer A had cooperated with the investigation.

Stuff senior investigations journalist Paula Penfold previously reported that Riley had been driving near the end of Beach Rd in the Whangārei suburb of Onerahi on December 22.

Her family understands she turned left into a small side street, near the intersection, and headed back down Beach Rd.

Officer A is believed to have followed her car in his Highway Patrol blue Skoda.

Two minutes later the pursuit was over when Angel’s car hit a tree, minutes from her home.

The officer is due back in court later this year.