Intoxicated driver's deadly North Canterbury crash killed one, injured two, police allege

Monday, 16 February 2026

A 29-year-old man is due to appear in court on Monday after allegedly driving while intoxicated, killing one and hurting three others, including himself.

Police alleged a driver who crashed on a Canterbury highway, killing one passenger and injuring two others, was intoxicated behind the wheel.

Nelson fisherman Carl Raymond Trower, 29, faces multiple charges over the crash on State Highway 7 in Waikari, between McRaes and Mt Alexander roads in Hurunui, on Friday.

Emergency services received reports of the single-vehicle crash about 6.40am.

Four people were extracted from the vehicle. One person died at the scene, one person was seriously injured, and two others were moderately injured.

Police charged Trower with: two counts of careless or inconsiderate vehicle operation causing injury; two counts of careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs causing injury; and one count of careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs causing death.

He appeared in Christchurch District Court on Monday. He was remanded in custody until his next appearance in March.