The crash scene: The family had come to New Zealand to help their daughter settle into her new home before they returned to Hong Kong. Photo / John van de Ven
Police have named the three members of an American family who died in a collision with a logging truck near Tokoroa on Tuesday.
They were Warren Lee, 53, Aesoon Lee, 52 and Julie Lee, 20.
Mr and Mrs Lee were American citizens living in Hong Kong, police said.
Their daughter Julia had been living in Massachusetts, but was due to start university in Auckland. She was driving at the time of the crash.
Her 18-year-old brother was critically injured in the crash and remains in Waikato Hospital.
The family had come to New Zealand to help Julia settle into her new home before they returned to Hong Kong.
Police said investigations continued in to the cause of the crash.
The release of the victims' names comes as an advocate for truck drivers says the spate of fatal crashes involving trucks has caused deep concern.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley said the frequency of collisions involving trucks and other vehicles had caused concern within the road freight industry.
Four people died when they attempted a U-turn and pulled into the path of a logging truck on State Highway 1 at Uretiti, Northland in December.
"Now the last few weeks have been a real horror period," Mr Shirley said.
"On January 29 a Northland driver pulled out in front of a truck and trailer, apparently intending to go to a roadside market on the other side of the road with fatal consequences.
"Three people died when their car apparently spun out of control in front of a logging truck in Waikato [on Tuesday] and yesterday a Canterbury rental car driver crossed the centre line and hit a stock truck."
Mr Shirley said the roads were a truck driver's workplace.
"How many people have to go to work every day knowing that they could be the innocent participant in someone else's fatal mistake? The effect on the driver can be traumatic and long lasting."
He said being involved in a fatal crash could ruin a truck driver's life.
"They find themselves unable to drive a truck again. It's that shattering."
He said reports of fatal crashes that attributed blame to the truck driver were upsetting.
"It's a sad reality that in most fatal accidents involving a truck and another vehicle, the other vehicle is the primary cause of the crash."
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