Crash victim drunk, speeding and wearing no seatbelt

Police say a driver killed in a fatal crash in Temuka last night appeared to be severely intoxicated, was traveling at a high speed and was not wearing a seat belt. File photo / NZ Herald

Temuka police say a 25-year-old man who died in a motor vehicle crash last night was 'severely' intoxicated, speeding and was not wearing a seat belt.

At 9.30 pm last night, police were called to an address on Boiling Down Road in the South Canterbury town after reports of disorderly behaviour.

Officers stopped and spoke to the driver of a vehicle who was leaving the adress, but while he was speaking to police, he accelerated away.

The dead man - the sole occupant of the car - soon lost control and crashed.

Police said the cause of the crash was a combination of three factors.

"When spoken to the driver appeared to be severely intoxicated, he was traveling at a speed which was estimated to be considerable more than the speed limited and thirdly he was not wearing a seat belt."

Inspector Dave Gaskin, Mid South Canterbury Police Area Commander actions of the police officers had played no part in the tragic outcome.

"This is yet another case when a young man has lost his life through a number of poor choices and the deadly combination of alcohol and speed."

The case will be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Authority.

- HERALD ONLINE