Police investigating fatal truck and car collision in Waikato

Emergency services were called to the scene about 10.30pm yesterday. Photo / Daniel Hines

Waikato Police are investigating a crash in which a person died last night on State Highway 2 at Mangatarata.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 10.30pm yesterday when a truck and trailer unit collided with a BMW car.

District road policing manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said it was too early to confirm the cause of the crash, but initial indications were that "the BMW has rounded a moderate right hand curve crossing the centreline and colliding with the truck and trailer in the eastbound lane."

The collision is under investigation by both the Waikato Serious Crash and Commercial Vehicle Investigation Units.

Mrs Grace said the driver of the BMW was killed in the crash and police were working to advise the deceased's family and complete the formal identification process.

Police reminded motorists driving to the conditions was crucial and those conditions weren't limited to just climatic factors.

"Driving conditions in the area at the time of the crash were wet and the roads were slippery. Combined with that fatigue could have played a factor in what happened given the BMW driver was three quarters of the way home from a trip to the Central North Island," Mrs Grace said.

"A lot people, when they hear police talk about driving to the conditions automatically think of wind and rain but the driving environment is so much more than that. We need to ensure motorists aren't driving tired or impaired and they and their vehicles are fully fit for the road."

Mrs Grace said on behalf of police she wanted to extend her sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased driver.