Jade Nicole Richards, Jeannine and Lynda Ball, Amelia Stockdale Lamont and Ruben Stockdale-Frost were among those killed on Bay of Plenty roads in 2024. Photos / NZME, Supplied
Jade Nicole Richards, Jeannine and Lynda Ball, Amelia Stockdale Lamont and Ruben Stockdale-Frost were among those killed on Bay of Plenty roads in 2024. Photos / NZME, Supplied
Nadia Christensen is nervous whenever her loved ones travel on the roads. In her eyes, there seem to be more “idiots” behind the wheel.
It’s the second summer she has had to spend without her “precious” mum and dad – Jan and Johnny Christensen – after they were killed in a crash in Rotorua on December 18, 2023.
Their deaths were caused by a drugged and speeding driver – Hemana Morgan-Edmonds – who smashed into their vehicle in an unwarranted, unregistered car police had earlier ordered off the road.
Jan and Johnny Christensen were killed by a speeding and drugged driver in Rotorua in December 2023. Photo / Supplied
It’s a prime example of what police describe as “wholly unnecessary” deaths as they grapple with another year of too many fatalities on Bay of Plenty roads.
Official figures show there were 37 deaths on roads in the Bay of Plenty police district in 2024 - one more than in 2023.
In 2024, carnage on Rotorua roads contributed to the tally – there were 12 deaths, the most locally for several years. Rotorua’s road toll rose significantly in December with four fatal crashes in the region, including one on December 9 just south of Rotorua that claimed four lives and the death of a motorcyclist in Murupara on December 28.
There were 12 deaths in Taupō, seven in Western Bay of Plenty and six in Eastern Bay of Plenty.
For Christensen, every death was a harrowing reminder another family was going through the same grief.
“The morning that I received the news that they had been in an accident near their home was one of the most traumatic and terrifying shocks of my life.”
She said finding out her parents had been killed by someone speeding and while impaired by cannabis made it worse.
“I was gutted to the core. It really puts you on edge and you naturally are dubious and nervous when your loved ones are travelling around from A to B. There seem to be visibly more idiots around than I can ever remember over the years … more impatient and angry ones.”
Hemana Morgan-Edmonds appears in the Rotorua District Court over the deaths of John and Janice Christensen. Photo / Kelly Makiha
Morgan-Edmonds was found by police to have six times the “high-risk” level of cannabis in his system and was going about 130km/h in the seconds before he smashed into the Christensons’ car.
The 22 year old will be sentenced on January 16 after pleading guilty to four charges, including two counts of drugged driving causing death and two counts of drugged driving causing injury.
Christensen said not a day goes by she does not think of her mum and dad.
“They were a couple of lovebirds that were the most spiritual, kind, adventurous, forgiving and non-judgemental people I knew ... my best friends in the world.”
Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Logan Marsh.
Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Logan Marsh said too many people died on the region’s roads in 2024.
“More than 30 families have spent their holiday period without a loved family member, friend or colleague, after losing them in a crash on Bay of Plenty roads during 2024. This is tragic and wholly unnecessary.”
Marsh said many of the crashes remained under investigation so he could not comment on the specific circumstances of individual crashes.
But he said there were four main behaviours that contributed to death and serious injury crashes – speed; being impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue; driving while distracted; and not being properly restrained.
“Police are out and about on the roads 24/7, working to keep people safe – but we cannot do it alone and road safety is something we all need to take responsibility for.”
He said drivers needed to ensure they were driving within the speed limit and should adjust speeds to the conditions.
“Don’t drive after consuming alcohol or drugs – and recognise when you’re fatigued and shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Put the phone away when you’re in the car – if you need to make or take an urgent call or text, pull over in a safe location to do so.”
He said seatbelts saved lives and everyone should be properly restrained, including children in the appropriate car seats or restraints for their age.
“It was determined that the lead-up to the holiday period was not the right time to be contacting families of the deceased to discuss name releases.”
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
