Police name Waikato crash victim

Police have named the man killed when his car collided with a truck in the Waikato yesterday.

He was 21-year-old Logan Dixon from Matamata.

Police were called to the crash about 2.30pm, on State Highway 27 between Wardville and Gillett Roads, about 8km north of Matamata.

District road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said he believed the truck driver did everything he could to avoid the collision.

"Mr Dixon's northbound Honda saloon has failed to keep left while taking a slight bend and has crossed the centreline directly in the path of a southbound eight-wheeler Hino truck.

"A study of the crash scene showed us the entire episode took place in the southbound lane, the truck driver has tried to take evasive action however given the minute period of time he had to react the crash appears unavoidable," Mr Tooman said.

Mr Dixon died of his injuries at the scene - his death has been reported to the Coroner - while the truck driver was shaken, but unhurt.

With winter approaching drivers needed to appreciate changes to driving conditions and ensure their vehicles were mechanically sound and their minds tuned to the changes, Mr Tooman said.

"And let's not forget with the school holidays finishing this week and with the V8s taking place in Hamilton over the weekend, the place for high speed spills and thrills is on the racetrack - not on our roads."

- NZPA