A police officer whose marked patrol car struck two teenagers walking on a rural road - killing one and putting the other in hospital - is the subject of an Independent Police Conduct Authority inquiry and a police criminal investigation.
A coroner's investigation is also under way.
Sergeant Dougal Montgomery of police northern communications said it was too early to tell if the officer would be charged, but this could not be ruled out.
Rawire Wilson, 16, and a 16-year-old friend were walking towards Moerewa, east of Kaikohe, along State Highway 1 in Ohaeawai about 11.30 on Saturday night.
At the same time, a police car carrying two officers was making its way down the road, travelling from Kaikohe to Moerewa, on its routine night patrol.
Mr Wilson was killed instantly when the car struck him. His friend sustained moderate injuries and was airlifted to Whangarei Hospital. He was in a stable condition last night.
It is understood the pair had been walking from a party at a house about 100m from where the accident occurred, TV3 reported.
Ambulance and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene of the accident, while police diverted traffic. The Serious Crime Unit in Northland also responded.
Coronial and criminal investigations are under way and an Independent Police Conduct Authority inquiry will determine whether any action will be taken against the officer driving the police vehicle.
Police released a statement saying the stretch of road where the accident happened is an open road.
The particular part of the road where the teenagers had been walking has no lighting.
The crash site is about 1.3km south of Ohaeawai.
Meanwhile, another teenager in Whangarei was killed shortly before 4am yesterday after losing control of the car he was driving.
Police and ambulance services were called to Western Hills Drive - near the Manse St intersection - where a car had left the road.
The vehicle became airborne, crossed over a stream and lodged itself into a bank on the opposite side of the road.
The 17-year-old male driver died at the scene.
Three male passengers were taken to Whangarei Hospital and were treated for moderate injuries.
Police were last night still trying to contact next of kin before naming the dead driver.
Three inquiries after police car kills teen walker
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.