Teen driver killed in wrong-way crash after fleeing police
Tuesday, 30 April 2024
A-15-year-old boy died when the stolen ute he was driving collided head-on with another vehicle near Ōtaki on Friday night.
Reihana Hawea’s grieving family have paid tribute to him online, saying he was “the kindest and most loving boy ever”.
Several other people were seriously injured in the crash.
A passenger who was in a stolen ute that crashed after fleeing police remains in a critical condition.
The driver of the stolen ute, Reihana Horohau Maitu Powell Hawea, 15, died at the scene of the head-on smash north of Ōtaki shortly after 11pm on Friday.
Six other people were injured in the crash, some seriously.
The crash happened after police abandoned a pursuit, and Hawea drove the ute on the wrong side of SH1.
The vehicle was linked to a robbery in Ōtaki earlier in the evening.
In a post on social media on Monday, Hawea’s grieving whānau said he was “the kindest and most loving boy ever”.
“You lived your life to the absolute fullest and we will all cherish every memory shared with you,” the post said.
On Tuesday, acting Central district commander Inspector Clifford Brown said police were appealing for information to determine the movements of the ute.
“Anyone who saw a blue Ford Courier Ute, registration WS3093, travelling on SH1 between Levin and Paraparaumu on Friday between 10pm and 11:05pm is urged to contact Police if they have not already done so.
“Police also encourage anyone with dashcam footage of this vehicle to save it and make contact with Police as soon as possible.”
Two of the passengers in the ute remained in Wellington Hospital - one in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries, and the other in a serious condition.
Brown confirmed it was the driver of the ute who died at the scene.
“The four occupants of the other vehicle were a family group.
“Two young people have been released from hospital, while two adults remain in Wellington Hospital as they recover.”
In an earlier statement Brown said the driver of a ute fled police when signalled to stop near Levin about 10.30pm.
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“A pursuit was initiated but was abandoned within several minutes due to the manner of driving, and the ute continued at speed heading south on State Highway 1.”
About 20 minutes later it was seen turning back onto SH1 from Waikanae and drove north in the southbound lane, Brown said.
The ute then collided head-on with another vehicle with four people in it, just south of Lawlors Road, about 11.05pm.
Hawea died at the scene. His two passengers were critically and serious injured.
The four people in the other vehicle suffered moderate to serious injuries.
The crash had been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, “as is standard for these events”, Brown said.
Anyone who has information that may help can provide it to Police via 105, by phone or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, clicking 'Update my report'.
Please reference the file number 240427/9204.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.