Pukekohe man Steven John Perry has been named as the person who was killed in a two car crash in the Karangahake Gorge on Thursday.

As police investigate the fatal crash, Inspector Freda Grace warns motorists to maintain situational awareness and 'ensure both you and your vehicle are fit for the road”.

Steven Perry died from injuries sustained in a car crash in the Karangahake Gorge on Thursday.

She says these are some of the initial learning from a crash that claimed the life of the 28-year-old.

'Police have already extended their sympathies to the family of Steven John Perry.” Steven died following a crash between his eastbound Holden Commodore sedan and a westbound Peugeot car on SH2 in the Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi about 10.40am on Thursday.

'The crash is the subject of an ongoing Serious Crash Unit investigation so it would be premature to comment on the cause of the crash but Police are looking into what, if any part, a large rock found in the lane Mr Perry was driving in may have played in the crash.”

Freda says environmental issues such as rocks, landslides, surface flooding, downed trees and powerlines were all potential hazards associated with winter driving.

'That's why we say; 'drive to the conditions- if they change reduce your speed. You never know what might be around the corner.

'Expect the unexpected. Your driving should be of a nature that should you encounter the unexpected you are able to take action to keep yourself and other road users safe. It is far better to arrive at a destination later than not at all. It really is a case of asking people to drive to survive.”