Daniel John Wood crashed his ute on Wharepapa South Road in February 2023 (File photo). Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
A coroner is warning against driving while tired after a man was killed in a car crash in the Waikato town of Te Awamutu.
Daniel John Wood, referred to as Dan, crashed his ute on Wharepapa South Road in February 2023.
Coroner Ian Telford has ruled the 35-year-old's death as accidental, and said it could've been avoided.
Telford found Wood had been working very hard in the time leading to the crash, and had little to no sleep before driving that day.
An unknown amount of methamphetamine, a small amount of alcohol, and the possible use of cannabis was also detected in his blood.
Wood was also not wearing a seatbelt, which Telford said would have likely saved him.
"This is a tragic situation involving yet another death of one of our young men," Telford said.
"I have today with me his family who care deeply about him and miss him.
"What makes this situation all the more painful in my view is the reality that it was so avoidable."
Telford said it was widely known that the use of drugs was one of the leading causes of death on New Zealand's roads, but the role of fatigue was not as widely discussed. He said fatigue was often exacerbated by alcohol or other drug use.
"Dan's case highlights yet again the devastating consequences that can flow from getting into a car after using drugs and being too tired to do so."
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