Fatal crash prompts truck safety review call

John Heazlewood, survivor of the crash that killed his friend Laurel Fitzgeorge, pictured at the site of the accident. Photo / Nathan Crombie

Wellington coroner Garry Evans has called for a heavy commercial vehicle safety review after a woman driver was killed by a truck-and-trailer with faulty brakes.

Laurel Anne FitzGeorge, 64, died in 2007 when the brakes on the truck failed on the Rimutaka Hill Road, north of Wellington, overturning on to her car.

Mr Evans said in his report released today that the truck driver Naera Mac Richard Waimotu was "on notice" about the faulty brakes but failed to check them out.

He was later acquitted of causing the death of Mrs FitzGeorge by dangerous driving.

Mr Evans found the vehicle had not been properly maintained and called for a review of safety regulations governing heavy vehicles.

- NZPA