Teen charged over fatal West Coast crash in March

Danny O'Donnell was a rear seat passenger in the car carrying five people. Photo / File

A Christchurch teenager has been charged with careless driving causing death after a 19-year-old passenger was killed in a crash on the West Coast in March.

Police today said the 17-year-old youth would appear in Westport District Court on Thursday.

Waiau teenager Danny O'Donnell was killed in the crash on Tauranga Bay Rd in Westport on March 2.

The driver has been charged with careless driving causing death, driving while suspended and three charges of careless driving causing injury.

Mr O'Donnell was one of five occupants in the Subaru car when it crashed.

Police at the time said speed appeared to be a factor.

The Subaru hurtled through 20m of scrub after leaving the road on a sweeping right-hand curve above the Holcim cement quarry at Omau, police said.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Mr O'Donnell initially survived the crash but died at the scene while being treated.

A 16-year-old boy suffered a broken leg and was airlifted to Grey Base Hospital.

The other passengers - aged 15 and 18 - were taken to Buller Hospital with minor injuries and later discharged.