Waikato truck smash victim named

Police say a zero tolerance for anyone travelling more than 4km over the speed limit will be strictly enforced over the next two long weekends. File photo / NZ Herald

Police have released the name of a woman killed when the car she was driving was hit by a truck at Eureka, near Hamilton, on Wednesday.

She was Velma Vivienne McNally, 68.

Police said it appeared her Ford Territory pulled out into the path of the eastbound truck at the intersection of State Highway 26 and Tauwhare Rd.

Mrs McNally was turning right towards Morrinsville from the give way intersection when the accident happened at 12.43pm. She died at the scene.

Acting Superintendent Greg Nicholls said the death was all the more tragic given it was avoidable.

It was the third crash involving a car and a truck in the Waikato in four days and the second fatal accident after 45-year-old Anna Pidduck was killed on Tuesday.

Ms Pidduck's nine-year-old son Jacob Henderson is still fighting for his life in Starship Hospital while a 33-year-old woman remains in a critical condition after a similar crash near Kopu on Monday.

Mr Nicholls said a zero tolerance for anyone travelling more than 4km over the speed limit would be strictly enforced over the next two long weekends and drivers could also expect to be breath tested anywhere at any time.

"But it's not just about the high end stuff. As we've seen with two fatal intersection crashes, we're not getting the basics right so if Mr or Mrs Joe Average is seen running a red light, failing to stop at an intersection or driving without a seatbelt they too can expect to encounter enforcement action.

"As we've seen already, such intervention could prove a life saver with the potential for someone to pull out in front of you another 500m down the road."

- with NZ HERALD STAFF