Coroner says Tangaroa Paki’s driving was ‘increasingly dangerous’ before Mount Maunganui crash which killed Brayden Tawa
A coroner has ruled that the driving of Tangaroa Paki was increasingly dangerous prior to a fatal crash in Mount Maunganui that killed Brayden Tawa. Paki, who was intoxicated and driving a mechanically unsafe vehicle, has since been convicted and sentenced to prison.
Why it matters
The case highlights the severe consequences of drugged driving and serves as a public warning regarding road safety and impaired operation of vehicles.
Brayden Tawa (inset) died following the crash at the intersection of Hewletts Rd and Aerodrome Rd, Mount Maunganui, in December 2023. Photo / Cameron Avery
A suspended and intoxicated driver’s behaviour became “increasingly dangerous” before he crashed his mechanically unsafe car into a truck, killing his best mate.
A coroner says that Tangaroa Paki crossed to the wrong side of the road, exceeded speed limits, briefly lost control of his vehicle, yet continued to accelerate while driving around Tauranga on the night of December 27, 2023.
He then drove into an intersection at Mount Maunganui against a light that had been red for 11 seconds, and crashed into a Kenworth truck and trailer unit.
His friend and front-seat passenger, Brayden Kenneth Tawa, 27, a father-of-two of Pāpāmoa , suffered blunt force injuries and died at the scene.
Paki had been drinking and using cannabis that day, and Tawa knew it.
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