Fatal crash driver turns himself in

CHRISTCHURCH: A young man who drove a car that crashed into a Christchurch school — killing a teenage girl — has handed himself in to police.

A man claiming to be the driver posted an emotional statement on Facebook, saying he was drunk at the time and did not want to drive in the first place.

He said he was ‘‘so sorry, guys’’ and needed time to cope with what he had done, as he did not know until afterwards that someone had died.

‘‘I must pay,’’ he said.

It is understood the driver had been at large after the accident late on Friday night.

Police confirmed yesterday afternoon that a man was assisting in relation to this case.

A police spokeswoman said the police were not looking for anyone else.

The 18yearold passenger who died in the crash has been identified as Alexia NobleHazelwood.

Three people were also injured in the crash and taken to hospital for treatment.

Emergency services were called to Christchurch East School, in Gloucester St, in

Christchurch, at 11.15pm after being alerted.

The vehicle involved had earlier been pursued by police. However, the pursuit was abandoned just minutes before the accident, police said.

A The motorcycle pillion passenger who died while taking part in the Pike River Memorial Run on the West Coast on Saturday was Jayne Jamieson (52), of Inangahua. — NZME