Triple-fatality car was unsafe, inquest told

A car that ploughed into a wall killing three teens in Invercargill last year was unsafe and heavily modified, an inquest was told.

A coroner's inquest into the deaths of Jesse William Langeveld, 19, James Parry, 16, and Ethan James Peek, 16, heard evidence yesterday that Mr Langeveld's car was not roadworthy, the Southland Times reported.

The Honda Civic slammed into a concrete building wall on Leven St in July, killing all three teenagers.

Serious crash investigator Senior Constable Alistair Crosland said several modifications had affected the car's handling, causing Mr Langeveld to lose control.

"This loss of control was entirely due to excessive speed in a dangerously modified vehicle."

The inquest was told the car had been racing at the time of the crash.

Adam Caig, who had been racing against it in another car, said as he slowed at traffic lights he saw Mr Langeveld's car skidding before it mounted the kerb, struck a parking meter, and crashed into the wall.

Autopsy results showed Mr Langeveld had a blood alcohol level of 86mg, almost three times the youth limit, the court was told.

Coroner David Crerar said the teenagers had made a series of unwise decisions.

Mr Langeveld had driven drunk and at a "grossly" excessive speed, while the others got into a car with a driver who had been drinking.

"Please let it stop," he urged at the conclusion of the inquest.

Mr Crerar will release his formal findings at a later date.

- NZPA