“The manner of driving has been erratic and posed a significant risk to other road users.
“The vehicle’s movements were relayed to nearby units, allowing them to take positions ahead of the vehicle and prepare to deploy road spikes.”
The vehicle was spiked on Oturoa Rd, near SH36, and again on Hamurana Rd about 5.30pm.
Gillbanks said police found the Lexus had crashed into a truck and caught fire on SH36.
He said the driver died and the two young passengers were trapped and seriously hurt.
“Members of the public and officers put themselves at significant risk to put the flames out and protect the car’s occupants from the fire.
“People ran to the scene with extinguishers, and about 18 were used to put the fire out.
“Their actions were courageous and saved lives of the trapped passengers.”
Gillbanks said the truck driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by ambulance staff.
Several officers were also treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.
A Tauranga Direct Rd resident said he and his wife lived about 400m from the crash scene and he also worked from home. When his wife finished work about 4.30pm they headed to Tauranga to go to the movies.
“We returned home about 9pm. If my wife had left work later that day, she would have been caught in the crash.
“I wasn’t aware that there had been a fatal crash on this road until I read about it on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page.”
The resident, who asked not to be named, said it was “pretty sad” someone died and he felt sorry for the truck driver, who would never forget what happened that day.
Another Tauranga Direct Rd resident, who also asked not to be named, said she did not see much of the crash as she was cooking dinner at the time.
“After I saw a plume of smoke, I flagged down some cars and got the drivers to turn around to help stop other vehicles from coming down Tauranga Direct Rd.“
The resident said lots of people stopped to assist at the scene before the police arrived.
Investigations
Gillbanks said a critical incident investigation had started and the Independent Police Conduct Authority had been notified.
The Serious Crash Unit finished a scene examination last night and the road reopened about midnight.
Police were also asking for dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident.
“We are seeking any CCTV or dashcam video of a silver Lexus sedan, carrying the registration DZS7, on SH1 and SH5, between 4pm and 5.30pm,” Gillbanks said.
“If you have video of this vehicle, please let us know.”
Anyone with information is asked to make a report online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105 and using the reference number 260113/9655.
Alternatively, information could be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
