20 May 2016

Driver in fatal crash remains unknown

4:43 pm on 20 May 2016

The driver who caused a car crash that killed a former All Black and his wife has never been identified.

Ian Uttley and his wife, Christine, died after their car collided with a logging truck in Hawke's Bay last September.

Coroner CJ Devonport, said Mrs Uttley was driving south when a northbound dark-coloured people mover crossed the yellow lines.

Mrs Uttley swerved to avoid it, slid across the centre line and crashed into the truck.

Witnesses said the driver of the people mover did not stop after the crash.

Police stopped a vehicle fitting its description at a checkpoint but the driver denied knowledge of the crash and refused to make a statement during the investigation.

The coroner said there was not enough evidence to identify the driver and passenger, and if the driver was aware of the crash or continued blissfully unaware.