Fatal crash driver named

The man killed in a truck crash on State Highway 2, near Pahoia, on Thursday has been named as Santhosh Kumar Cherukuri.

The 27-year-old Auckland man was driving an Isuzu light truck when he crossed the centreline into the path of an approaching truck and trailer unit.


Santhosh was killed when the truck he was driving crash with another truck and a SUV towing a trailer on SH2 on Thursday night.

A car towing a trailer has also collided with the Isuzu light truck.

The impact of the accident caused the diesel tank and bladder inside the container containing around 20,000 litres orange juice to rupture, discharging the contents onto the ground, along the roadside drain and down towards an unnamed tributary of the Tauranga Harbour. Read more here.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says the driver of the truck and trailer unit and the five occupants of the other car sustained moderate to minor injuries as a result of the collision.

State Highway 2 was closed for over 6 hours as a result of this crash with traffic being diverted through Wainui South and Esdaile Roads.

'Police thank road users for their patience,” says Ian.

'Preliminary indications are that distraction or fatigue may have been contributing factors in this crash.”

Ian urges drivers to take extreme care on State Highway 2 between Bethlehem and Athenree.

'This is the eighth death in just over 12 months resulting from vehicles crossing the centre line on this stretch of road.”

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