Clash sparks fatal Wairarapa crash

CRASH SCENE: The smash happened on the corner of Herbert St and Alfredton Rd in Eketahuna. PHOTO/FILE

A 36-year-old Eketahuna man died when he crashed into a power pole, after a fight with his partner at the Eketahuna Rugby Club on Saturday night.

Adrian James Ihaka, or "A.J." as many knew him, drove away from the clubrooms in a rage, crashing into the pole on the corner of Herbert St and Alfredton Rd, just 600m from the club.

Club president Dennis Dougherty said Mr Ihaka was a fomer player for the senior reserves and had been at a "mini-function" at the clubrooms as part of the club's 125-year jubilee celebrations, before the crash.

Mr Dougherty and hundreds of others were not at the clubrooms but at the jubilee dinner at the Eketahuna Community Centre on Haswell St.

The guest speakers had just finished their speeches when the crash happened at about 10.30pm, cutting power to the town.

Mr Dougherty said the bar staff at the clubrooms had told him Mr Ihaka had "a disagreement over a domestic arrangement" with his partner and drove away erratically. The staff said Mr Ihaka was angry, got in his car, fishtailed out of the entrance, blew out two tyres and left.

People living in the area witnessed the one-car crash and a volunteer firefighter made the 111 call.

Police, fire and ambulance crew attended the scene but Mr Ihaka, the only occupant in the car, had been thrown from the car and could not be saved.

"First aid was administered to the man. However he was pronounced dead at the scene," said Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery, acting Central District road policing manager.

He said initial indications suggested alcohol and speed caused the "tragic and totally preventable crash".

Mr Dougherty said bar staff had said Mr Ihaka did not seem intoxicated and wasn't served any alcohol until two hours before he left in his car.

He said the Herbert St and Alfredton Rd corner could be dangerous especially if someone was driving in the state that Mr Ihaka was in.

The Serious Crash Unit have launched an investigation into the crash and have conducted a scene examination.

Mr Ihaka leaves three children including two sons who play for the club. He was the fifth person to die on the roads during the Queen's Birthday road toll period.