One dead after car hits three pedestrians in Kaitaia

The Serious Crash Unit is at the scene of the accident on the Awanui Straight section of State Highway One. Photo/Google

A stretch of highway has reopened after a man was killed when three pedestrians were hit by a car near Kaitaia overnight.

Police say the crash happened at 1.15am on Awanui Straight, north of the township.

Three pedestrians - two men and a woman - were struck by a passing vehicle at the intersection of SH1 and Quarry Rd.

One man died at the scene.

An injured man was flown to Whangarei Hospital in a critical condition and a woman is in Kaitaia Hospital with moderate injuries.

Police said they were speaking with the driver of the vehicle.

The road was closed for around nine hours as police investigated the smash but cordons had now been lifted.

The scene has also been blessed by local kaumatua.

The Serious Crash Unit was investigating the horror smash.

It has been a tragic year on Northland roads.

The death brings the annual road toll to 33 this year - compared with 27 in 2016.