A passenger in the ute that crashed in Ōtaki last week has died in Wellington Hospital yesterday, Friday 3 May.
Acting Area Commander Inspector Clifford Brown, Central District Commander says the passenger was transported to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition following the crash and has subsequently died from injuries sustained in the crash.
A third passenger in the ute remains in hospital in serious condition. Two people who were in the car that was hit also remain in Wellington Hospital as they recover.
Commander Brown says Police extend their condolences to family and friends of all involved in this tragic incident.
“The incident remains under investigation. Police appreciate the information provided to the investigation team to date. This has proven valuable in understanding the sequence of events that led to this tragic event,” says Commander Brown.
If you have information about the events of Friday 26 April and have not yet spoken to Police, please get in touch via 105 or online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” and reference file number 240427/9204.
In particular, anyone who saw a blue Ford Courier ute, registration WS3093, travelling on State Highway 1 between Levin and Paraparaumu that night between 10pm and 11:05pm is urged to contact Police, if they have not already done so.
News from NZ Police
A passenger in the ute that crashed in Ōtaki last week has died in Wellington Hospital.
The passenger was taken to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition following the crash and has subsequently died from his injuries. A third passenger remains in hospital in serious condition.
The driver of the ute died in the crash. He was 16-year-old Reihana Horohau Hawea of Levin.
Two people who were in the car that was hit also remain in Wellington Hospital as they recover.
The incident remains under investigation. Police appreciate the information provided to the investigation team to date. If you have information about the events of Friday 26 April and have not yet spoken to Police, please get in touch via 105 or 105.police.govt.nz”>online clicking “Update Report” and reference file number 240427/9204.
In particular, anyone who saw a blue Ford Courier ute, registration WS3093, travelling on State Highway 1 between Levin and Paraparaumu that night between 10pm and 11:05pm is urged to contact Police, if they have not already done so.
News from NZ Police – April 27
The Police Serious Crash Unit attended, and the incident will be investigated. Police have referred the matter to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard for these events.
RNZ reports that Gaige Mattila said he was driving to Paraparaumu when a vehicle came rushing towards him in the wrong lane.
“This vehicle with high beams on came flying past me. I had to slow down and move over because I was unsure if they were going to swerve into me, I didn’t know what their intentions were.”
He said he did not see the crash happen. Posting earlier on social media Mattila said: “My life… flashed before my eyes going down the straight of the expressway…. I’m sorry [what] happened to these people, they must have been a minute behind me. I almost was the one in the head-on, I hope they are okay.”
