{"id":95009,"date":"2025-10-22T20:39:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T20:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/95009\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T20:39:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T20:39:23","slug":"sunlive-fatal-truck-crash-young-driver-wrongly-blamed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/95009\/","title":{"rendered":"SunLive – Fatal truck crash: Young driver wrongly blamed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lacy, Steven Fasirua Pari, Te Tahi Tango Brass and Johnston Stoogie Ahuriri\u00a0were all killed in the crash\u00a0<\/a>on Bonisch Rd, a sealed arterial route through the central North Island\u2019s Kaingaroa Forest, in the early hours of July 29, 2019.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A fifth worker in the van suffered serious injuries but survived. The truck driver was uninjured.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In findings released today, Coroner Michael Robb said there was no evidence Lacy had consumed cannabis, nor was he responsible for the fatal collision.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

He had instead been blinded by the oncoming truck\u2019s headlights and seconds later ran into its trailer, which was blocking his lane and invisible in the dark.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The coroner said the SCU finding that Lacy did not see or react to the trailer because of cannabis use was incorrect.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThe circumstances of the collision point to the driver being entirely sober.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The SCU inquiry also \u201cignored\u201d the fact the trailer could not be seen because it had no lights or reflective strips.<\/p>\n


\n
\nDeaths referred back to WorkSafe NZ
\n <\/p>\n

Coroner Robb has referred all four deaths back to WorkSafe for further investigation.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In his findings he described an arrangement between\u00a0WorkSafe<\/a>\u00a0and police about who looks into\u00a0forestry<\/a>\u00a0road deaths as \u201cmost troubling\u201d, after learning the workplace safety agency did not investigate the accident.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI refer these four deaths back to WorkSafe New Zealand to undertake an investigation pursuant to their obligations under the\u00a0Health and Safety at Work Act<\/a>,\u201d the coroner said.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The coroner said the 35m logging truck with two trailers had turned on to the main route from a side road and its rear trailer was still blocking the northbound lane when the van approached.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Lacy could not see anything beyond the truck\u2019s strong and \u201cblinding\u201d headlights and the trailers did not have lighting or reflective strips along their sides.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

When he passed the truck\u2019s cab, Lacy was driving within the speed limit at 80-90km\/h.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At that speed, he would have covered the 32m to the point where the trailer was still blocking his lane in less than one second.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThere was insufficient time for the driver of the van to avoid a collision with the logging trailer blocking his lane,\u201d Coroner Robb said.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThe trailers were unlit and, as a consequence, the [rear] trailer was invisible to the van, as it would have been invisible to any other northbound traffic.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the failure to have lighting on the sides of the trailers, or any other reflective material, that ultimately caused the collision.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The coroner found all four men died from head injuries sustained in the collision.<\/p>\n


\n
\nBlood samples taken
\n <\/p>\n

The police SCU report writer said Lacy should have seen and avoided the trailer but did not see it because he had consumed\u00a0cannabis<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

This was based on lab test results of blood samples that had been taken from all of the deceased.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

However, those who knew Lacy, a volunteer firefighter, said he was not a cannabis user.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\"OneOne of the entry points into Kaingaroa Forest near where the fatal crash occurred. Photo \/ Stephen Parker<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThose that personally knew the driver of the van over many years, were adamant that he drank little, kept fit and did not smoke cigarettes nor cannabis. This was emphatically confirmed by his partner,\u201d Coroner Robb said.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cStorm\u2019s partner, employer and wh\u0101nau were united in their position that Storm did not consume cannabis.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The survivor from the van also told the Coroner\u2019s Court that Lacy did not use cannabis, but that other people he worked with did.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The coroner\u2019s report said there were discrepancies in the forms accompanying the blood samples and \u201cno evidence\u201d of how they had been handled.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The processing of the samples had not been subject to police oversight.<\/p>\n


\n
\nPossible \u2018labelling error\u2019 at lab
\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThe prospect of a labelling error in respect of the samples attributed to the van driver were immediately and consistently raised by those that knew the van driver,\u201d the coroner said.<\/p>\n


\n
\nThe report said Lacy had been driving appropriately and not too fast, was aware of his surroundings and was focused.
\n <\/p>\n

There was evidence he had tried to turn the van towards the left in the \u201csplit second\u201d before the collision.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI find that the driving of the van driver played no role in the collision,\u201d Coroner Robb said.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI find that the SCU report incorporated a flawed statement in attributing any aspect of the collision to the driver of the van or to cannabis consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\"BayBay of Plenty roading police manager Inspector Brent Crowe at the scene of the fatal crash. Photo \/ Stephen Parker<\/p>\n


\n
\nPolice make changes
\n <\/p>\n

Acting Assistant Commissioner Penelope Gifford said the police would take some time to thoroughly consider the coroner\u2019s findings and consider any impact on current processes.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Some changes had already been made within the SCU.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cBay of Plenty Police have already implemented changes in Serious Crash Unit investigations, including having a senior investigator overseeing all investigations, including all fatal crashes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cOur thoughts remain with the wh\u0101nau and loved ones of the four young men who lost their lives in this devastating incident.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

A WorkSafe NZ spokesperson said the agency would now review its memorandum of understanding with police about who takes the lead on vehicle crashes, \u201cto ensure it is fit for purpose and operating effectively\u201d.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cHaving received the coroner\u2019s findings, we are now actively considering next steps,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThe coroner\u2019s referral gives WorkSafe a further six months to file a charge if appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME\u2019s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke\u2019s Bay.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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