FILE
Police are urging people to drive safely after two fatal crashes in the Eastern Bay.
A man died after being hit by a car in Whakatane on Friday night.
Police said he was struck about 8.50pm on Keepa Rd and died at the scene from his injuries.
The road was closed with diversion put in place via Ferguson and Huna Rds.
An investigation was still ongoing.
A second person was killed in a crash on State Highway 30 at Awakeri between Whakatane and Rotorua on Saturday night.
Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash near Kope Drain Road shortly after 9pm.
Police said one person was found dead at the scene.
Bay of Plenty police did not release any further details of the crashes yesterday however took to Facebook to reiterate their safe driving message.
"It was a horror weekend on the regions' roads with the road toll standing at three deaths in separate incidents after a 21-year-old man in Rotorua was killed on Saturday.
"That's three deaths on our roads in just two days; five deaths in the last week," police said.
"We're still investigating the causes of these crashes, but regardless of the reasons, life will never be quite the same for five families and our hearts go out to them.
Please spare a thought for these families, and do everything you can to make sure you and the people you love are driving as safely as possible on our roads."
Anyone with information on the Whakatane crashes are asked to contact the police on (07) 308 5255.
A disregard for authority could be why those attending court are thumbing their noses.