Auckland, Oct 30 NZPA - A man accused of deliberately driving his car into two other vehicles, killing a young woman, had taken a dangerous combination of alcohol and diazepam, the High Court at Auckland was told today.

Tony Worrell, 50, of Swanson, is on trial facing six charges -- murder, causing grievous bodily harm, and four charges of attempted intentional damage.

Katie Powles, 26, died when Worrell's car struck her vehicle in Karaka, south of Auckland, on June 3 last year. Another man, Brett Robinson, was also seriously injured.

Environmental Science and Research scientist Helen Poulsen today told the court a blood sample taken from Worrell that day contained 160mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Ms Poulsen said the sample was also tested for medicinal drugs, which found 0.3mg of the sedative diazepam was present.

Worrell's lawyer Matthew Goodwin questioned whether the diazepam could have stayed in the body for a length of time, and whether that amount would cause significant drowsiness.

Ms Poulsen said she could not comment as it would depend on the person taking it.

Dr Ahmed Taylor also told the court today that he had treated Worrell in hospital after he had cut his wrists with a small kitchen knife on August 4, 2007.

During cross-examination, Dr Taylor said it could not be regarded as a suicide attempt.

Proceeding.