Police seek information on fatal crash near Rakaia

Monday, 7 April 2014 - 4:31pm

Canterbury

Police investigating the fatal crash between a pedestrian and a car near Rakaia on Saturday say they are still trying to piece together the victim's movements on the night of the incident.

Danny Mathew Hendriks, aged 18, from the Rakaia area, was killed when he was struck by a car on Acton Road, just east of Rakaia township, at around 10.55pm on Saturday [5 April].

Senior Constable Mike Jackson, of Rakaia Police, says initial inquiries indicate that Mr Hendriks had been lying on the road carriageway at the time of the crash.

The scene is an unlit rural road, and Mr Hendriks was wearing dark clothing, he says. He was approximately 700 metres east of the township, and in a 100 kilometre an hour zone.

Senior Constable Jackson says Police are still working to establish Mr Hendriks' movements in the hours leading up to the crash.

"We understand that he had been with a group attending a function in Christchurch earlier in the day, and returned to the Rakaia area during the evening.

"It's believed Mr Hendriks was heading to an address on the outskirts of the town, but at this stage we do not know the details of his movements on Saturday night."

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen a man walking in the area of Bridge Street/SH1 in Rakaia, and Elizabeth Ave or Michael Street to the east of the town.

Senior Constable Jackson says Police have interviewed the driver and two passengers of the vehicle involved in the incident.

Inquiries are continuing and no decision has been made on whether any charges will be laid in relation to the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rakaia Police on (03) 302 7009, or Christchurch police on (03) 3637400.

ENDS

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