The driver of a silver Mitsubishi station wagon died at the scene on State Highway 5. Photo / Paul Taylor
The driver of a silver Mitsubishi station wagon died at the scene on State Highway 5. Photo / Paul Taylor
A man killed in a crash after fleeing police on the Napier-Taupo Road has been named.
The victim was 36-year-old Scott Michael Faulkner from Hastings.
Victim support were helping both the family, and the truck driver who was also involved in the crash. Police are continuing to investigate thecircumstances surrounding the crash.
Police had been trying to find Faulkner for most of Thursday after concerns were raised for his welfare.
Police located his vehicle on State Highway 5 at Eskdale at 9.40pm on Thursday, and signalled for him to stop.
The driver of a silver Mitsubishi station wagon died at the scene on State Highway 5. Photo / Paul Taylor
He did not and a pursuit was initiated.
"After a short period of time, the vehicle crossed the centre line and collided with an oncoming truck," said Hawke's Bay Acting Area Commander Inspector Jeanette Park.
"An outcome like this is the last thing anyone wants to see.
"Police conduct a constant risk assessment during events of this nature, which are inherently fast-moving and unpredictable."
At the time of the crash, she said the circumstances surrounding the death would be investigated thoroughly by both the police and Independent Police Conduct Authority.
It was the fifth death on Hawke's Bay roads this year.
Two people whose names cannot be published because of a Coroner's ruling, died on the morning of January 16 in a crash on State Highway 2 between Dannevirke and Woodville, a boy aged 13 died after his bicycle and a vehicle collided in Railway Rd, Hastings, on the afternoon of January 28, and a 54-year-old sole occupant of a car died about dawn on February 13 when the vehicle left State Highway 36 between Frasertown and Tiniroto and crashed into a drain.
One woman who lived near the Eskdale crash site, who did not wish to be named, said she and her partner heard police sirens before a loud bang.
"It was the loudest bang I ever heard. We realised an accident had happened," she said.
"By the time we came across, we saw the truck and three trucks backed behind."
She said they came to the scene to offer help as they are both qualified to provide first aid.
"We just wanted to see if he was all right and if we could help."
Police would like to hear from anyone travelling on SH5 between Taupo and Napier on Thursday, February 14 who may have seen the crash or the silver Mitsubishi station wagon driven by Faulkner.
