Reflecting on having to attend a Christmas Day fatality for the second year in a row, Waikato Police are commending a motorist who followed a driver fleeing the scene of a fatal vehicle crash.
Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Marcus Lynam, said emergency services were called to the scene of a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Avalon Dr and Te Rapa Rd about 12.35pm.
"The collision is still being investigated by the Waikato Serious Crash Unit but initial indications are a 71-year-old woman travelling as a rear seat passenger in a north bound Mitsubishi Colt suffered fatal injuries when her vehicle was struck by an east bound Toyota Hi-lux utility.
"The Colt had been travelling on Te Rapa Rd where as the utility had been travelling on SH1-Avalon Dr and the intersection where the collision took place is controlled by traffic lights."
Mr Lynam said a member of the public phoned 111 and advised they were following the driver of the utility as the vehicle fled the scene.
"It was recovered by Police at a Pukete address a short time later thanks to the assistance of that member of the public.
"Since then a suspended female driver, believed to be aged 26-years-old, has been located by Police and this person and the driver of the other car will be interviewed once all parties from each vehicle have received medical treatment."
Mr Lynam said it was too early to say which, if any driver was at fault and if any charges would be laid.
"This crash brings the Waikato Police District's road toll to 45 and it is the second Christmas in a row that emergency services have been called out to deal with a fatality on a day that is supposed to be about celebration.
"While we work to establish the cause of this latest tragedy Waikato Police are asking motorists to stick to the basics, stay away from the booze, wear your seatbelt, keep left, watch your speed and treat every road you travel with respect. Above all we want you to drive to survive this summer."
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