Police accuse fisherman of more serious charges after fatal Canterbury crash

Thursday, 12 March 2026

Carl Raymond Trower, 29, was remanded in custody without plea for allegedly causing a fatal crash near Waikari, pictured, last month. (File image)

Fresh evidence has led police to upgrade the charges faced by a fisherman accused over a fatal Canterbury crash.

One person died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 near Waikari in Hurunui on February 13. Three others were hospitalised.

Carl Raymond Trower, 29, was initially charged with careless or inconsiderate driving under the influence of drink or drugs causing death, and twice causing injury.

Police upgraded the charges to drug driving causing death, and twice causing injury, when the case appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday.

A police spokesperson said the decision followed further evidence becoming available.

Drug driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, while drug driving causing injury carries a maximum of five years’ imprisonment.

Judge Quentin Hix remanded Trower, a fisherman, in custody without plea.