Woman killed, man arrested after fatal two-car crash north of New Plymouth

Tuesday, 28 August 2018

A person has died following a car crash near Big Jims hill in Waitara, Taranaki

A man has been arrested in relation to a fatal car crash in North Taranaki on Tuesday morning.

Detective Sergeant Pat Yates said the 37-year-old man from Waitara was due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court on charges related to the crash on Devon Rd, State Highway 3.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene of the two-car crash near Big Jims Hill, Brixton, shortly after 6am.

One of the cars ended up down a bank and the 18-year-old female driver from Waitara, who police have identified as Olivia Renee Keightley-Trigg, died at the scene.

Olivia Renee Keightley-Trigg was killed in a car crash on State Highway Three near Waitara on Tuesday.

The Serious Crash Unit has been called to the scene of Tuesday's fatal crash on State Highway 3 near Waitara.

* Three crashes during a busy Christmas eve on Taranaki roads

* Emergency services attend two crashes on Devon Rd

* Work needed at 'death alley' stretch of SH3

* Police release names of two killed in crash**

The woman is one of 12 people to have been killed on the stretch of SH3 between New Plymouth and Waitara in the last 10 years.

The Serious Crash Unit, from Palmerston North, is investigating the cause of the collision, Yates said.

'Once they have done their thing we will have a better understanding of what has taken place.'

The road is closed and diversions are in place after a fatal crash near Waitara on Tuesday morning.

Detective Sergeant Gerard Bouterey said the death was a tragedy.

'From the initial scene examination it appears that the ute heading towards New Plymouth has crossed the centreline and has collided with the vehicle coming in the other direction,' Bouterey said.

The dead teenager's parents were very upset and were being comforted and supported by family and friends, he said.

The road was closed in both directions until 1pm, with northbound traffic being diverted through Raleigh St and Waitara, while southbound traffic is being sent via Mamaku Rd, Matarikoriko Rd and Waitara Rd.

News of the fatal crash had spread quickly in Waitara on Tuesday morning.

The alleged offender, who has interim name suppression, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, possession of cannabis, possession of utensils to consume methamphetamine and refusing to give a blood sample.

He has consented to a remand in custody until Thursday.

One woman, who asked not to be named, lived near the highway and said it was still dark when she heard the blaring sirens from the attending emergency services.

A woman has died in a two-car crash near Big Jims Hill, Brixton. The crash happened about 6am on Devon Rd, State Highway 3.

'It was like 'wow, that's really loud',' she said.

She got out of bed and saw that the highway was blocked.

'We knew straightaway. I thought it must have been an accident.'

The woman described the section of state highway as very dangerous and there had been ongoing problems with serious crashes and fatalities.

'They have got to do something about it, this is just crazy,' she said.

New Plymouth district councillor and Waitara businessman John Williams said the death was a tragic loss of life and affected everyone.

Williams said he was aware the New Zealand Transport Agency was planning safety improvements along the piece of highway between New Plymouth and Waitara.

'I just wish they would hurry up and get something started for everyone's sake.'