Teen takes wheel from dying truckie

Taylor Schouwenaars

A teenager who had to fight to take control of a truck after a freak incident left the driver, her uncle, mortally injured, has been praised for preventing further "carnage" on the road.

Police say the girl's quick actions kept the eight-wheeler Big Chill Distribution truck on the correct side of the road, after a three-metre piece of 4x2 wood came loose from an on-coming ute and hit the truck's wing mirror.

The accident happened on State Highway 1, near Porirua, about 6.50am on Friday.

The impact smashed the mirror into the cab and it struck driver Taylor John Schouwenaars, 36, in the head.

The quick-thinking teen managed to grab the steering wheel and guide the truck to the side of the road.

"Had she not been there, then obviously we could have had a lot more carnage, so to speak," said Detective James Withington, of the Porirua CIB.

Mr Schouwenaars was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition after the accident near Wairaka Rd at Pukerua Bay and died shortly before midday.

Grieving whanau and friends will today farewell the father of Kararaina, 4 months, Hinemoana, 2, TJ, 10, and Stacee-Lee, 12, who was known as "Taylor boy" by his nine elder siblings, at the Whakarongotai Marae on the Kapiti Coast.

The teen's aunt, Jude Stewart, said the death would hit home for her niece today. The pair had been close, the girl often accompanying Mr Schouwenaars on work trips.

"Everybody's still in shock. It was a matter of seconds.

"He was a fun guy, the life of the party. He always wanted to help out."

Meanwhile the 20-year-old driver of the truck that lost the log has been interviewed by police, who were awaiting results of vehicle and forensic tests before deciding on charges.

Mr Withington said the man carried on round the corner before pulling over to check his truck, when he noticed a log was missing.

However, he did not return to check for any damage or injuries and "at that point has failed his obligations", the detective said.

He described the death as a freak accident.

"The whole accident, you couldn't plan it, it's an accident that has occurred through a number of factors and at the end of the day it's just bad timing."

Workmates of Mr Schouwenaars also paid tribute to the "family man" who they said had a toothless grin for everybody. Michael Roberts, Big Chill general manager operations, said customers were in tears when they heard of Mr Schouwenaars' death.

He commended the teenager for grabbing the wheel and preventing more injury.

"It's one of those industries where all too often the driver gets the blame and in this instance it's not the case."

Michele Matthews, owner of The Pesto Company for whom the dead man made deliveries, loved his "toothless grin" and said he always went the extra mile helping out.

"He would jump on the forklift, help shrink-wrap pellets, help shift stuff on trucks."