Solvent sniffing led to crash

Substance abuse, coupled with speed, led to the death of Richelle Jolene Ropata, Rotorua's coroner has found.

The 31-year-old died when she lost control and crashed head on into a truck carrying honey and bees on State Highway 38, near Murupara on March 13.

Her death came the day before she had been due to face five charges of leaving her children home alone.

Rotorua coroner David Dowthwaite found Ms Ropata died from injuries suffered in the crash.

The truck driver, Andrew John Sturmfels, said when he saw the car it was "fishtailing" across the road.

He slowed and pulled to the left of the road but the car crashed into the truck, knocking him unconscious. He suffered minor cuts.

Constable Leonie Smith of the Rotorua police Strategic Traffic Unit said toxicology reports showed that Ms Ropata had in her blood toluene - a substance widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent.

If inhaled, it can cause euphoria, dizziness, slow reaction and loss of concentration.

Several bags containing a brown liquid glue-like substance were found in Ms Ropata's vehicle.

A report into the crash said it was possible she had been inhaling it before driving, which would explain the toluene in her blood.

- NZPA