Hawkes Bay crash victims named

Police have named the two people killed in a head-on smash on State Highway 2 in central Hawke's Bay yesterday.

Thomas Tawa Richard Winata, 49, and Bernadette Tuapawa-Keepa, 31, were both travelling in a southbound car near Te Hauke, about 30km southwest of Hastings, about 11am.

Ms Tuapawa-Keepa was driving, Mr Winata a passenger, when a northbound car driven by a 19-year-old woman crossed the centreline and ploughed into them, police alleged.

The dead were both from Hastings. The third occupant of their car, a 58-year-old man, was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

He remains in a serious state, Hastings Senior Sergeant Stuart Fleming said.

The teenage driver of the other car received moderate injuries.

Police had spoken to witnesses, who reported seeing the northbound car just miss a small truck before the crash.

- NZPA