A 17-year-old Tararua man has been arrested and charged today in relation to a crash where a youth was killed and a woman in another vehicle was seriously injured.
The two-vehicle head-on crash occurred on State Highway 2, Pahiatua on Wednesday 23 July 2014.
Cheyenne Ihaka, aged 16, died at the scene and a preliminary investigation suggested that he was the driver of the Ford vehicle and the 17-year-old was the passenger, however after further inquiries were conducted it was determined that this was not the case.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan, officer in charge of the Manawatü CIB says: "After significant inquiries, witness interviews, and the examination of forensic items we have established Cheyenne was not the driver and the 17-year-old had staged the situation. As a result of these findings he faces serious charges."
The man has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, careless driving causing death, and careless driving causing injury.
He will appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow.
"Throughout this process we have been updating the families involved and while these findings provide some clarity, this continues to be a difficult time for them," says Detective Senior Sergeant Sheridan.
As the matter is before the courts Police has no further comment to make.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.