A coroner has found that a fatal crash near Te Awamutu, which killed five people, was caused by a young unlicensed driver who was inhaling nitrous oxide and had likely also used cannabis.
The driver crossed the centreline into oncoming traffic, colliding with another vehicle and killing all occupants instantly.
The coroner concluded that severe impairment from substance use led directly to the tragedy, noting that those aware of her condition failed to prevent her from driving. He reiterated that operating a vehicle while under the influence or without a licence poses grave risks and expressed hope that his findings would reinforce efforts to eliminate impaired driving from New Zealand’s roads.
Image credit: Wolfgang Frick
Teenage driver of the year
Likely use of cannabis? Does he know or not?