Man charged with murder after fatal crash

Police at the scene of the crash. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Police have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after a vehicle drove into a large group of people in Pakuranga early this morning, killing a 23-year-old woman.

A man, 19, remains in a critical condition in hospital after the incident. A 31-year-old and 27-year-old man were also hospitalised and are said to be stable.

Police said the 24-year-old local man would appear in Manakau District Court on Monday charged with murder and that more charges could follow.

They earlier said a fight broke out at about 3am at the Tabu Lounge Bar in Highland Park and spread onto the Pakuranga Highway, where around 20 people were gathered.

Police said a red hatchback then ploughed into the group.

It is described as 80's or 90's year, similar to a Nissan pulsar, Toyota Corolla, Celica or Starlet and police said would be damaged as a result of the incident.

Both lanes of Pakuranga Road were closed while the Serious Crash Unit investigated the incident, but have now reopened.

Police have appealed for anyone with information on the incident to contact them - including people who may have recorded it on mobile phones.

They said they were interviewing a significant number of witnesses, with 30 people spoken to about the incident by this afternoon.

Meanwhile, South Auckland police are looking for three people after a car was have ram-raided into a South Auckland service station.

Police said the incident happened on Station Road in Papatoetoe and the group are believed to be carrying firearms.

It is unclear what was stolen in the incident.

- NZPA / NEWSTALK ZB / NZHERALD STAFF

Did you witness this incident or know any of the people involved? We would like to hear from you.
>> Email the Herald Newsdesk