Motorist dies in two-car crash near Hastings

A tribute left alongside Pakowhai Rd following the tragedy on Tuesday. Photo Paul Taylor

A 60-year-old man is in a stable condition after he was seriously injured in a fatal Pakowhai crash on Tuesday.

Another motorist died following the tragedy in Pakowhai near Hastings.

The two-car crash happened at 6.10pm on Tuesday, just south of Brookfields Rd in Pakowhai.

A Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Te Matau a Māui, Hawke's Bay spokeswoman stated the seriously injured person is man in his 60s who was in a stable condition at Hawke's Bay Hospital as of Wednesday morning.

A police spokeswoman said the road reopened to traffic about midnight.

The spokeswoman said it was understood the person who died and the person who was seriously injured were in separate vehicles, and that police inquiries into the incident were continuing.

On Monday of last week, 45-year-old Marco Milliaccio of Hastings was killed in a crash in Havelock North.

His funeral will be held on Saturday 16th July, 2pm, at Crestwood Funeral Home.

A family friend has started a Givealittle page to support his wife Leanne and children Lorena and Carlo, at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-for-marco-milliaccios-family.

The page had raised nearly $10,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

The July 4 crash, which happened near a bend on St Georges Rd, was reported to emergency services moments after 4.30pm on Monday.

Three others from another vehicle were injured, one seriously.

Police noted that a car involved in that crash was seen "travelling at speed" moments beforehand.

A police statement had said earlier that inquiries into the crash are still ongoing.