Speed, alcohol factors in fatal crash

Photo / file

Speed and alcohol are thought to have contributed to a crash which killed a 21-year-old New Plymouth man early today, police say.

Police said the car was travelling well above the 50km/h speed limit when it hit a concrete wall on Frankley Rd, in the New Plymouth suburb of Ferndale, about 1am.

Sergeant Grant Sawtell, of New Plymouth police, said the dead man was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Police were still investigating the cause of the crash however, it was believed speed was the major factor, he said.

"The vehicle appears to have lost control and struck a concrete retaining wall and has been extensively damaged," said Mr Sawtell.

Alcohol was also believed to be a factor, he said.

The man's name would be released tomorrow when relatives had been told.

- NZPA