CANNABIS LINKED TO NORTHLAND DRIVER'S DEATH

WHANGAREI -- Cannabis may have contributed to a Northland man's death after
his four-wheel-drive vehicle crashed into a truck and trailer, a coroner
has found.

At an inquest in Whangarei this week Coroner Max Atkins ruled that Andrew
William Sanft, 37, died from internal injuries after his vehicle crossed to
the wrong side of the road and collided with the truck and trailer unit on
Great North Rd, Springs Flat about 2.45pm on June 27.

Mr Atkins said it appeared Mr Sanft may fallen asleep at the wheel and
could have been affected by traces of cannabis, found in his blood.

A toxicology report from Environmental Science and Research showed that Mr
Sanft had 2.6mcg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the high-inducing chemical
in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The report said blood levels were a poor indicator of THC intoxication, but
it was possible Mr Sanft was affected by the drug at the time of his death.

Mr Sanft's partner Lesley Pitman, who was at the inquest with the couple's
baby, told Mr Atkins her partner would have been "pretty tired" on the day
of the crash.

"He would have been, because he had got home at 11pm the night before and
left at 4.30am the next morning."

In a written statement, witness Christine Pickering said Mr Sanft's vehicle
had "started weaving all over the road".

The driver of the northbound truck, James McGarvey, said he had seen Mr
Sanft's southbound vehicle about 400m ahead.

"At that time I thought the driver was an idiot because he was trying to
pass vehicles."

As the four-wheel-drive began to drift into his lane, Mr McGarvey said he
had attempted to move to the left to avoid a collision, but the
four-wheel-drive hit the truck.

Mr Sanft's vehicle had not attempted to change direction, he said.

A report by Senior Constable John van Pomeron, of the commercial vehicle
investigation unit, found no fault with the truck driver or his unit.

Witness Susan Gordon, a driver in a northbound vehicle ahead of the truck,
said she also had to swerve to avoid Mr Sanft's car. She said the driver
appeared to be slumped forward at the steering wheel.

"I thought I was going to crash. Then I thought 'that person appears to be
asleep'."