As they appeal for witnesses to a fatal crash on a rural road outside Te Awamutu yesterday afternoon to come forward, Waikato Police are urging motorists to consider the consequences of their decisions.
Officer in charge of the Waikato Highway Patrol, Senior Sergeant Steve Ambler, said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on Paterangi Rd about 4.20pm.
“The incident is under investigation by the Serious Crash Unit so it’s too early to confirm the cause however initial indications are that a Mazda car heading towards Te Awamutu has failed to negotiate a bend and crossed the centreline, colliding head-on with a Ford Falcon XR6 sedan travelling in the opposite direction.
“The driver and sole occupant of the Mazda, 22-year-old Te Awamutu man Chaz Mourea MORGAN, died at the scene of the crash while the 63-year-old female driver of the Ford was flown to Waikato Hospital where she is in a critical condition. A 10-year-old passenger travelling in the Ford suffered minor injuries while an eight-year-old passenger remains in hospital with moderate to serious injuries.”
Mr Ambler said investigators are currently looking into what part, if any, speed played in the crash and confirmed Mr Morgan was in breach of the conditions of his learner driver’s license at the time of the crash.
“Yesterday’s crash was the 13th fatal crash in the Waikato to involve drivers breaching graduated licenses or driving while subject to a court ordered suspension or disqualifications.
“This is particularly upsetting for those left to pick up the pieces. We have a graduated license program in place to allow drivers to build up their experience and skills in a safe environment and as we’ve seen, if those conditions are breached it can have tragic consequences.”
Any witnesses to yesterday’s crash, who haven’t already spoken to Police are asked to contact Senior Constable Peter Maher of the Te Awamutu Road Safety Team on 07 8720100.
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