Cannabis a factor in three car fatalities

ALISON BROWN | 14th September 2007

SMOKING cannabis and getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle proved lethal for three Rotorua drivers killed in separate road crashes.

Sixteen-year-old Margaret Leef died at Rotorua Hospital as a result of injuries suffered in a crash at Sulphur Point, near the Government Gardens on October 8, 2002.

Yesterday at an inquest into her death, Wellington-based coroner Ian Smith heard how she had smoked the equivalent of one cannabis cigarette within hours of the crash.

Another Rotorua driver, whose name was suppressed at the family's request, was killed in a crash on Rewarewa St in Owhata on February 2 this year. A toxicology report reveals the man had consumed alcohol and cannabis before driving.

A third Rotorua man, 17-year-old Wiremu Ransfield, was killed after his motorcycle collided with a power pole on Bellingham Cr in Fordlands on April 1 last year.

He consumed cannabis about four hours before his death.

Mr Smith said the cases highlighted the lethal effect the drugs could have on motorists' ability to drive.

"There are people who say there's no harm with cannabis but it's clear there is harm caused, especially when you put a weapon, such as a motor vehicle, in their possession," he said.

Margaret Leef was driving a Mitsubishi Sigma along Queens Dr in the Government Gardens when she lost control, mounting a curb and colliding with a tree about 9pm on October 8.

Three passengers, her sister, Frances Leef, and friends Shannon Smith and Karise Neems were injured but survived the crash.

Mr Smith was the only occupant not wearing a seatbelt. He was sitting behind Miss Leef and the force of the crash shoved him forward.

In evidence yesterday, former detective Paul Armstrong said that movement would have impacted on Miss Leef, possibly contributing to the injuries she suffered.

An examination of the crash scene by police established Miss Leef's car was travelling up to 73km/h when it began to slide.

In a statement to police following the crash, Mr Smith said Miss Leef had been driving unsafely by speeding and not giving way to traffic.

She drove behind another vehicle at Queens Dr and told Mr Smith and other passengers she thought the vehicle wanted to race her.

She overtook the vehicle but it didn't follow.

She continued to drive towards Sulphur Pt at speed when the crash happened.

A blood sample showed Miss Leef had smoked the equivalent of a cannabis cigarette between one and seven hours before the accident.

The Rotorua man, who cannot be identified, was driving a Subaru Forester with his girlfriend along Rewarewa St on February 2.

Neither were wearing seatbelts. He was thrown from the vehicle when it rolled about 5pm and died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.

A blood sample established he had smoked the equivalent of a cannabis cigarette within two hours of his death.

Marijuana, combined with the alcohol found in his blood, would have affected his ability to drive, Mr Smith said.

Mr Ransfield, 17, was killed on April 1 last year when his motorcycle hit a power pole on Bellingham Cr, at 11.30am.

Witnesses told police they saw the driver lose control on his bike moments before the crash.

Toxicology reports show Mr Ransfield had smoked cannabis about four hours earlier.