Police name Mangatarata crash victim

A man who died after his car collided with a truck on State Highway 2 at Mangatarata has been named by police.

He was Jean Pierre Minnie, 20, of Auckland.

The collision occurred about 10.30pm last Wednesday night.

Initial investigations suggested Mr Minnie's BMW had rounded a moderate right-hand curve, crossed the centreline and collided with the truck and trailer in the eastbound lane, Waikato district road policing manager Inspector Freda Grace said.

Police wished to extend their sympathies to Mr Minnie's family, she said.

"Every fatal crash or every seriously injured person leaves behind or has loved ones left picking up the pieces," she said.

"I urge all drivers to adopt the view that road safety is everyone's responsibility. We all want safer communities; ensure you are a safe driver to make a safer family."