Waikato Police hope drunk driver being charged over fatal will serve as deterrent to others this holiday weekend

Waikato Police hope the charging of a drunk driver involved in a fatal crash between Hamilton and Raglan in February will serve as a deterrent to other motorist contemplating drinking and driving this holiday weekend.

Sergeant Grant Houston of the Waikato Highway Patrol said the 41-year-old Hamilton woman has been charged with excess blood alcohol causing death, aggravated careless driving causing death, three charges of excess blood alcohol causing injury and three charges of aggravated careless driving causing injury in relation to a crash on SH23 at Whatawhata on 14 February.

"This crash cost 17-year-old Shayna KUMITAU, an innocent front seat passenger travelling in an oncoming Suzuki Swift, her life and injured three other people, one of who is still recovering from very serious injuries.

"The intoxicated driver will appear in the Hamilton District Court on Wednesday 24 July and it is hoped that in announcing the charges on the eve of the official Queen's Birthday Holiday Period, drivers will be deterred from getting behind the wheel after drinking and risk causing similar tragedies."

End