The 21-year-old Kaitaia man who was driving a car that crashed into a tree in Allen Bell Drive Kaitaia yesterday morning died at the scene. He was named as Rutene Wikotu.
According to the police Mr Wikotu was the sole occupant, that speed was suspected of playing a part in the crash, and that it was not believed that any other vehicles had been involved.
He appeared to have veered off the street, a 50km/h zone, on a right-hand bend, crashing into the tree with the driver's door the main point of impact.
Chief Fire Officer Colin Kitchen said the car's engine caught fire moments after impact. A woman who lived immediately adjacent extinguishing the flames with a garden hose, an action that he said had prevented an even more traumatic scene.
The fire brigade remained there until early afternoon, clearing debris and waiting for the Serious Crash Unit from Whangarei.
