Rotorua teenager Asya James named as victim of fatal December 9 SH5 crash

Asya James died in a crash on SH5 near Rotorua.

Rotorua 17-year-old Asya Leslie James was the victim of a fatal crash on State Highway 5 on December 14, police say.

In a statement releasing her name, police extended condolences to her friends and family and said inquiries into the crash were ongoing.

The early morning crash involved a car and a truck.

A Givealittle page has been set up to raise money for Asya’s family.

The page said: “Asya tragically passed away on Saturday 14th of December, the family now have considerable financial burden to deal with.

“This page is solely to assist them with their struggle.”

The page’s creator described Asya as a “beautiful, kind soul and deserves to be sent off the same way she lived her life.”

One commenter on Facebook said, “Rest in peace, beautiful.”

She was one of six people to lose their lives on Rotorua roads in a week.

Four people died of the seven in two vehicles involved in a crash on State Highway 5 in Whakarewarewa on December 9.

Three people died at the scene of the crash on SH5 south of Rotorua, and another died in hospital after having been transported in a critical condition.

Tray Dee Wall, 20, died alongside Ruben Stockdale-Frost, 18, and Amelia Stockdale Lamont, 26 - a mother of two young daughters - while Dante Lamont was left fighting for his life. Mary Jane Heke, 50, who was in the second car, also died.

One person died in a crash on SH30 at Lake Rotoiti on December 16.