Matatā crash: Woman charged with murder after incident in car

State Highway 2 (Matatā Rd) was closed as police investigated the incident.

A woman has been charged with murder after an incident in Matatā.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matatā Rds about 3.50pm on Saturday after a report of two people being injured by a third person while in a vehicle.

The vehicle left the road and crashed, and one person died at the scene.

The second injured person was in a stable condition in hospital.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner today said a woman who had been helping police with their inquiries had now been charged.

The 35-year-old was due to appear in Whakatāne District Court today on charges of murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The road was closed while a scene examination was completed and reopened about 2am Sunday.

Warner said on Sunday the victims were known to the alleged offender.

“This is a shocking event and we are still working to understand why this happened.”

He said police were providing the injured person wraparound support.

“Support has been offered to the members of the public who were first on the scene and did everything they could to help.”