Man killed after van crossed centre line

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police are yet to establish why a van crossed the centre line and slammed into another vehicle in Waikato yesterday, killing the van's driver.

The Toyota van was being driven south on State Highway 1, about 1km south of Putaruru, and appeared to have veered out of its lane and slammed into a 4WD travelling in the opposite direction, Constable Dave Frazer, of the serious crash unit, said.

The van's sole occupant, a 43-year-old Auckland man, was dead by the time emergency services arrived about 5.40pm and had to be cut from the crumpled wreckage, he said.

Road conditions were good and an initial assessment did not indicate speed or alcohol were factors.

The driver of the 4WD, a 56-year-old Putaruru man, was in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital today, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Police were interviewing witnesses and awaiting the results of drug and alcohol blood tests.

The dead man's identity would be revealed once next of kin had been notified.

- NZPA