Police have named an Invercargill teenager killed after the car he was a passenger in collided with a power pole on Friday.
Jerome Henry, 18, died and four other people, believed to be in their teens and early 20s, suffered moderate injuries after their car collided with a power pole
on Matua Rd in Otatara, 5km southwest of Invercargill, about 9pm.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, but speed was a factor in causing the loss of control, police said.
The crash cut power to 120 households in the area.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Terry said other members of the community needed to take responsibility to combat dangerous behaviour on the roads.
"We need parents, grandparents, families and friends to step up, identify and deal with high risk behaviour in young people - especially in cars," he told NZPA.
Also at the weekend, Andrea Kimberley Pramm, 21, of Bulls, died after the car she was in crashed into a rail overbridge in southern Hawke's Bay early Sunday morning.
It appeared the 21-year-old man driving the car lost control on a bend and crashed into the side barriers of the bridge in Papatawa, 19km southwest of Dannevirke, at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Martin Rd about 12.15am, police said. He suffered minor injuries.
The other passenger, a 17-year-old woman from Dannevirke, was critically ill in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit.
Alcohol and speed were thought to be factors in the crash, police said.
Dylan Shane Campbell, 18, of Waiuku, died after he was thrown on to the road from his car in the Counties-Manukau district about 7.30pm Friday.
It appeared Mr Campbell lost control and his car crossed the centreline into the path of another vehicle on Glenbrook Rd, Patumahoe, 10km northwest of Pukekohe, Acting Sergeant Wayne Paxton of Pukekohe police said.
The 48-year-old man driving the other car was taken to hospital with moderate chest injuries.
- NZPA
