KEY POINTS:
Police have named the 15-year-old high school student killed in a hit-and-run accident in the Bay of Plenty settlement of Matata yesterday.
She was Stevie Ray Marks, a student of Edgecumbe College.
She died at the scene after a car hit three school girls walking home on Mair Street at 11.30pm.
One of her friends was hospitalised with head and leg injuries and the other has minor physical injuries.
Just 12 hours after the accident a 22-year-old saleswoman appeared in Whakatane District Court on charges relating to the hit-and-run.
Karma Jasmine McIvor made no plea to four charges alleging causing death and injury while drink driving, and failing to stop at the scene.
She was remanded on bail until next month.
A tapu was lifted at the scene of the accident today and police held off naming the girl until extended family and pupils at her school were informed.
Edgecumbe College principal Gavin Greenfield said the school held an assembly this morning to notify students, though many had already heard about the accident via text messages.
The school community was shocked and saddened.
"Stevie Ray was a fun loving, cheerful, outgoing, bubbly sort of student - well liked by everybody," he told Radio New Zealand.
Locals placed flowers at the spot where the girls were hit.
The road is narrow with no footpath on either side.
- NZPA
