Drunk driver kills 12-year-old girl in Hawke's Bay

Palabras clave: drunk driving, fatal crash, Hawke's Bay, 12-year-old girl, Shane Smith
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Friday, 18 July 2025
A 12-year-old girl has been killed after a drunk driver crashed into her on a Hawke's Bay road. The incident occurred on State Highway 2, near Wairoa, at around 10:30pm on Thursday. The driver, who has been identified as 38-year-old Shane Smith, was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody. He is expected to face charges of dangerous driving causing death and drink driving. The girl, who was walking with her mother, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother was treated for minor injuries and is currently in a local hospital. Police have confirmed that the driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.13, well above the legal limit of 0.05. The crash has shocked the local community, with many expressing their anger and sadness over the incident. A coroner's inquest into the incident is expected to be held in the coming weeks. The girl's family has asked for privacy at this difficult time. This is the first fatality on State Highway 2 this year. The police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information they may have about the incident.
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