Whakatane man charged over crash that killed woman

GONE: Shannon Buick, 22, was killed in a car crash just metres from her family home on August 30 last year. A Whakatane man has been charged with careless driving causing death and causing injury to Shannon's teenage sister Kaitlin. PHOTO/FILE

A Whakatane man has been charged in relation to a crash which killed popular young Wairarapa woman Shannon Buick.

Shannon, 22, was killed in a high-speed car crash on Paierau Rd, near Masterton, just after 6.30pm August 30 last year. Her younger sister, 16-year-old Wairarapa College student Kaitlin Buick, was seriously injured in the crash.

The pair were heading to the family home on the night their car was hit by a car travelling towards Masterton, allegedly driven by the 24-year-old Whakatane man.

Shannon was killed instantly and emergency services crews rescued a seriously injured Kaitlin from the car.

The teenager underwent surgery in Wellington Hospital for injuries, including two broken legs and a broken elbow and wrist.

Shannon, who was a science graduate from Massey University, had just left work.

The Whakatane man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing two charges, one of careless driving causing death and another of careless driving causing injury.

He is due to make his first appearance in Masterton District Court Monday, February 24.