The names of three males killed when a car crossed the centreline into the path of another vehicle on SH2 near Waihi overnight have been released.
They were the driver of a Subaru Impreza, 17-year-old Dylan PERKINSON of Waihi and his 16-year-old front seat passenger, Vance WILLIAMS of Waihi Beach.
The driver of a Nissan March, 44-year-old father of three Mark August SYDNEY of Waihi Beach, also died in the crash while two rear seat male passengers in the Subaru aged 16 and 17-years-old suffered critical injuries and are currently in Waikato Hospital's Intensive Care Unit.
A 22-year-old Mt Roskill woman driving a third vehicle involved in the crash suffered minor injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance but has since been released.
Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman said the deaths bring the Waikato Police District Road Toll to six so far this year and the loss of the men was all the more tragic given that indications were the crash was avoidable.
"Initial analysis of the scene indicates, alcohol, speed, driver inexperience and a failure to drive to the conditions were all contributing factors in an event that has left at three families devastated and another three dealing with the injuries of loved ones."
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