Two cars struck man on road

Police want to hear from anyone who saw Mr Jack that night.

At least two cars hit Israel Jack as he was lying on Te Ngae Rd but police are still to determine why he was on the road.

Mr Jack, who was known as Issy, was killed on Sunday, August 18.

Rotorua police yesterday confirmed the 20-year-old was struck by at least two vehicles, and have renewed their appeal for information.

Police received reports about 4.25am of a man having been hit by a vehicle. That vehicle was at the scene when police arrived and has been examined.

As a result of publicity in the Rotorua Daily Post, another driver approached police a couple of days later to advise his vehicle had struck something on Te Ngae Rd that morning.

An examination of this vehicle has now confirmed it also struck Mr Jack.

From these examinations and witness reports, police believe Mr Jack was lying prone on the road when struck by both vehicles.

"There are still a number of questions that need answers; not least why he was lying [on] the road," road policing manager Senior Sergeant Brendon Keenan said.

"We know he had walked approximately 6km from town. Although intoxicated, all witness information suggests he was sticking to the footpath.

"He was spoken to at the Caltex service station at the intersection of Te Ngae Rd and Owhata Rd and also by a police officer in that same area.

"In both cases he appeared to be coherent and capable of completing the short walk home.

"One occasion when he was seen to rest he had done so safely sitting on the footpath.

"We need to establish why, so close to his destination, he would be lying prone [on] the road."

Police want to hear from anyone who saw Mr Jack that night. He was wearing a black T-shirt with the letters lower in large white script across the front.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099.