Accidental killer may not know a man died

The driver who caused the death of a Northland man in a hit-and-run may not have even realised he or she had run someone over, police say.
Thomas Joseph Rerekura of Whirinaki, known as Tom-Tom, died shortly after the accident on an unlit section of State Highway 12 at Whirinaki, in South Hokianga, at about 8.45pm on Tuesday.
A post mortem examination revealed the 45-year-old's injuries were as a result of being run over, rather than being hit by a vehicle.
It was also clear he was already on the ground when run over.
Acting Detective Sergeant Greg Johnson, of the Kaikohe CIB, urged anyone driving in the Whirinaki area on Tuesday evening, even if they had seen nothing, to contact police.
"We're pleading for anyone who was driving along that stretch of road around that time to come forward, so we can eliminate them - or sort it out for the family's sake," he said.
Mr Johnson said Whirinaki residents had been helpful, but otherwise police had had little response to their appeals for information.
Police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said a number of factors had contributed to Mr Rerekura's death, including that he was thought to have been heavily intoxicated, was dressed in black, and was in an area with no street lighting. The driver of the vehicle involved might not have realised what had happened, she said.
Mr Rerekura's death has shocked the close-knit settlement, where he was regarded as a character - cheeky and outgoing but with a strong sense of community spirit.
One of the last people to see him alive on Tuesday night, Wiki Wynyard, said the community was disgusted that someone could run a person over and drive on. When found by another local, Mr Rerekura was badly injured but still alive.
He died at the scene despite the efforts of local residents and St John paramedics.
One of the first on the scene was Fire Service volunteer support officer Colin Kitchen, who was on his way home to Kaitaia after a meeting at Omapere fire station.
He was driving around a corner at about 9pm when he saw the ambulance and medics performing CPR on a man lying on the road.
Volunteer firefighters were called in from Omapere, Rawene and Kaikohe to provide scene lighting and divert traffic via Koutu Loop Rd.
Mr Kitchen praised the emergency services for the way they "worked together and got on with the job without fuss" despite an upsetting and unpleasant accident scene. It was particularly distressing for Omapere firefighters who knew Mr Rerekura personally, he said.
Call the Kaikohe station on (09) 405 2960 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 with any information.