RGHS crash: Police rule out causes | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Police have ruled out several factors in the crash in which Kristi-Rae Ruri-Gardiner was fatally injured.

Neither speed, alcohol nor drugs were factors in the smash, Constable Grant Keys of the Rotorua police Strategic Traffic Unit said.

Kristi-Rae, 18, was one of five Rotorua Girls' High School girls in a Honda vehicle that collided with a Toyota Hilux utility on State Highway 33 on July 22. Four other Rotorua Girls' High School students - Cheyenne Grace, Bobby-Leigh Morrison, Tui Martin and Adrianne Martin-Ohlsen were also injured in the smash. Kristi-Rae suffered serious injuries in the crash and died a day later.

Mr Keys said he met with representatives of Kristi's family last week to give them an update on the investigation, which was an unusual step but one he took because there had been a lot of "misinformation among the general public" including rumours that speed was a factor in the crash.

"It has been shown that [the driver] wasn't speeding at the time. Speed did not play a part in why the vehicle left the road," he said.

Mr Keys said drugs and alcohol were not factors either.

Tui Martin, who was also seriously injured in the crash, was discharged from Waikato Hospital last Wednesday.

Mr Keys said the matter would be referred to Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor in about a month's time.

Drugs and alcohol were also not factors in a smash on July 17, in which 12 Rotorua teenagers were injured when the Toyota Hiace van they were in failed to take a left-hand bend 14km south of Rotorua. Jesse Howe, 16, was seriously injured in the smash and died on August 8. Aaron Gourlay, who also suffered serious head injuries in the crash, was discharged from Waikato Hospital on August 9. Mr Keys said police had still to speak with Aaron regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, police are still looking into the crash on Owhata Rd on July 1 in which 12-year-old Aaliyah Cara Mita was fatally injured. Mr Keys said the crash would be referred to the Bay of Plenty road policing manager in a couple of weeks' time.

He said police were still to interview one person regarding the crash and no decision had been made as to whether any charges would be laid.