Run over teenager may have been lying on the road - police

Photo / file

A Rakaia teenager run over and killed on Saturday night may have been lying down on the road at the time, police say.

Danny Mathew Hendriks, 18, was struck by a car on Acton Road, just 700m east of Rakaia township, at around 10.55pm on Saturday.

Initial inquiries indicate that Mr Hendriks was wearing dark clothing and lying on the unlit rural road, local senior constable Mike Jackson said today.

Police are still working to establish Mr Hendriks' movements in the hours leading up to the crash.

"We understand that he had been with a group attending a function in Christchurch earlier in the day, and returned to the Rakaia area during the evening,'' said Mr Jackson.

"It's believed Mr Hendriks was heading to an address on the outskirts of the town, but at this stage we do not know the details of his movements on Saturday night.''

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen a man walking in the area of Bridge Street/SH1 in Rakaia, and Elizabeth Ave or Michael Street to the east of the town.

Senior Constable Jackson says Police have interviewed the driver and two passengers of the vehicle involved in the incident.

Inquiries are continuing and no decision has been made on whether any charges will be laid in relation to the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rakaia Police on 03 302 7009, or Christchurch police on 03 3637400.