Police investigating a fatal crash on the Kapiti Coast on Saturday, are trying to find a hitchhiker who may be an important witness.
Shelagh Cotter and Marilyn Jeffery were drinking coffee on the side of a rural road near the settlement of Te Horo, south of Otaki, when a Subaru stationwagon crashed into them.
Mrs Cotter died on Sunday in hospital and Mrs Jeffery is recovering at home.
Police say the driver of the Subaru picked up the hitchhiker from Paraparaumu about 9.30am on Saturday morning as he travelled north on State Highway 1.
Police do not have a description of the hitchhiker or know where the person was dropped off.
They say the hitchhiker is probably unaware he or she travelled in the same vehicle that was involved in the accident, but may have vital information.
Police say the driver was three times over the drink-drive limit.
A man, 37, from Lower Hutt, has been charged with drink-driving. He will appear in Levin District Court on 25 November.
Police say more charges are likely.
