Waikato police have today released the name of the man killed in the crash on State Highway 3 at Tamahere yesterday.
He was Jordan Bruce Young, 20.
Exactly how and why Young's vehicle crossed the centre line is still being investigated by the Waikato police Serious Crash Unit, Senior Sergeant Mike Henwood said.
Henwood said the Linfox truck was travelling north on State Highway 1 at Tamahere, just past the Hamilton International Airport turn-off, when the older model silver BMW being driven by Young crossed the southbound lane into the path of the truck about 3pm.
Young died at the scene.
Friends and family have been expressing their shock at his death on social media.
One posted, "Jordan Young it's not fair how things like this happen. Thank you for all the memories you gave me ... rest easy my boy". Another wrote "RIP cousin Jordan Young you were taken from us way to early at 21 ... You will always be in our hearts. Bye for now cousin until we meet again".
Another friend posted "So many broken hearts today. You will never be forgotten Jordan Young rip x".
Both lanes of the road, which are currently covered by road cones due to roadworks, were closed for about three hours to allow police, fire emergency and St John Ambulance into the scene.
Young's body will now be subject to a post-mortem.