CANNABIS LINK IN DEATH CRASH

A speeding driver who killed an Auckland policeman in a head-on smash
near Taupo last year had been smoking cannabis, a coroner has heard.

The driver, Daniel Max Ruru, 28, who also died in the crash, has been
described by the dead policeman's brother as irresponsible and selfish.

Taupo district coroner Morna McFarlane was hearing evidence at an
inquest into the deaths of Auckland policeman and volunteer fireman
Floyd Richmond Frederick Roscoe, 45; Hamilton freezing worker Daniel
Max Ruru, 28, and Hamilton teenager Michael Kenneth Bruce
Morrison-Ruru, 14. All three died when the northbound Honda CRX driven
by Daniel Ruru crossed the centre line on SH 1 near Waitahanui on
November 23, hitting Mr Roscoe's Toyota Starlet head on.

Mr Roscoe tried to move to the left but could not avoid the
collision.

Daniel Ruru, his nephew Michael Morrison-Ruru, and his brother Whenua
Ruru, were returning from a family gathering in Porirua where Daniel
Ruru had been drinking and smoking cannabis.

Mr Roscoe was driving south to Waiouru for Army territorial
duties.

Witnesses said Mr Ruru's car was travelling erratically, passing
dangerously and speeding. After the crash its speedo needle was stuck
at 168 km/h.

Ruru's blood showed the level of THC (the active ingredient of
cannabis) was high at 30mcg per litre of blood, which was consistent
with him having smoked cannabis within an hour of his death.

He was "very likely" affected by the drug when he crashed, the court
heard.

Whenua Ruru told police he was asleep. Mr Ruru was known to smoke
cannabis while driving and was an inexperienced driver with a "heavy
foot".

Ms McFarlane found Daniel Ruru died of multiple injuries, Michael Ruru
from head injuries and Mr Roscoe from severe multiple injuries.

She said speed and cannabis were obvious factors in the
crash.

Michael Ruru was lying on the back seat without a seatbelt, which
would have contributed to his death.

Mr Roscoe's brother Howard Roscoe said Daniel Ruru was "selfish" and
no rules setting a dope-driving limit would stop that, he said.

"If it's in your blood to be selfish, you'll just do it [drive]
anyway."