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Speed and alcohol are suspected factors in a crash that left a young woman dead and two friends badly injured only 500m from their home early yesterday morning.
Natasha Ann Evans, 20, died instantly when the red Peugeot she was driving smashed into a tree on Terry St in Auckland's Blockhouse Bay about 3.30am.
Residents said the street was popular with boy racers. They had made repeated requests for speed bumps and traffic islands.
They told of being woken by the sound of a car travelling at high speeds followed by a "big bang".
The Peugeot was owned by Natasha's flatmate Eden Joy Pollock, who was a passenger at the time. A male passenger, Jack, was also injured.
The trio were returning to the girls' flat for some food after drinks at a friend's house in West Auckland.
Residents who rushed to help were greeted by horrific scenes, with the four-door car wrapped around a tree, and debris - including the engine - scattered across the road and footpath.
One said she helped Jack by holding his arms.
"He was hanging out of the window, he had hurt his legs. The girl was semi-conscious and I could hear her crying. Another girl was dead in the car."
Brian and Nancy Ware heard a car racing along Blockhouse Bay Rd and into Terry St before a "big bang".
"It was horrific," Nancy said. "Firefighters had to cut them out. The girl in the passenger seat, then the body. The next one out was the boy. The girl died on impact - they didn't resuscitate her. It's one of the worst things I've had to see in a long time. The boy was crying, he was in agony.
"This girl was lying there and she had nobody. I wanted to go up and hold her hand."
Eden was last night in a stable condition in Auckland City Hospital's intensive care unit. Jack needed a steel rod inserted in a crushed leg.
Natasha's Australian-based family were making arrangements to fly to Auckland.
Within hours of the crash bunches of flowers and cards carpeted the tree stump.
One read, "We love you Tash. The Lepper family at Roseville St. Forever in our hearts". Another said, "Jamaica Place. R.I.P Thinking of you Tash".
Natasha was office manager at GIB board specialists GRW Fixings. Workmates were last night too upset to comment.
Friends at the scene described her as a "bubbly" and "energetic" person who "made friends with everyone".
Police believe she died on impact.
Auckland Serious Crash Unit investigator Gerard Ryan said it appeared she lost control and veered on to the wrong side of the road before hitting the tree.
Alcohol and speed were being investigated as possible factors, he said. "The driver took a huge impact," he said. "The front passenger - in fact both of the survivors - are extremely lucky."
The Wares, who have lived on Terry St for 15 years, said residents had made several requests for speed bumps and traffic islands.
"I'd like the council to do something about the speed people are doing coming down this street," said Brian. "We have police down here three times a week with speed cameras. It's known as a speedy street."
It's not the first time Jack has dealt with tragedy. Two years ago he was among a group camping at west coast beach Piha when a friend David Feki, 18, fell 101m from Lion Rock and died.
