A driver who crossed the centre line into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on crash that killed five people in the Waikato region last year, was "significantly impaired" by her use of nitrous oxide, a coroner's report has revealed.
The crash occurred on State Highway 3 at Ōhaupō, north of Te Awamutu, at 4.43pm on May 28, 2024.
A Toyota hatchback driven by 19-year-old Piata Otufangavalu failed to navigate a sweeping bend and crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding with an Audi sedan.
Otufangavalu, her partner Suliasi Lefai, and friend Cheyenne Love-Mitchell were in the Toyota, while retired couple Paul and Lois Grimmer were travelling in the Audi. All five occupants in the two vehicles died at the scene.
According to findings released today by Coroner Matthew Bates, Otufangavalu's driving was "significantly impaired" by nitrous oxide inhalation and potentially exacerbated by cannabis use. She did not hold a driver's licence.
Witnesses reported seeing the Toyota being driven aggressively and erratically in the hour before the crash. Around 3–3.30pm, one witness saw the car tailgating, swerving, and attempting to pass vehicles using the median strip.
The two occupants were seen with large green balloons and a witness thought they were "huffing nangs" - inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon.
When the witness attempted to photograph the vehicle, the occupants put the balloons down and drove closer.
The Toyota continued to follow and tailgate until the witness’s vehicle turned off the highway.
By 4.30pm, another witness saw the Toyota parked outside a café in Ōhaupō.
Shortly after, the Toyota pulled out behind him and was again seen being driven erratically with three occupants inside.
The witness said they saw the occupants inhaling gas from "big green balloons".
Concerned, the witness asked his partner to call *555.
Moments before the crash, CCTV footage from an oncoming vehicle showed the trio each with an inflated green balloon in front of them.
The vehicle was seen failing to take a bend, crossing the double yellow centre lines and heading straight into the path of the Grimmers' Audi.
The impact occurred just 1.9 seconds after the Toyota crossed the centre line, leaving no time for Paul Grimmer, who was driving, to react.
Nitrous oxide, also known as NOS or nangs, has short-lasting effects, typically between 30 seconds and five minutes, but can severely impair perception and coordination.
A moderate dose may cause relaxation, euphoria, dizziness, confusion, and blurred vision. Two doses in quick succession can lead to hallucinations, disassociation, and faintness, while repeated use may result in loss of consciousness and hypoxia.
Mixing nitrous oxide with other substances, including cannabis, can intensify these effects. Using nitrous oxide while driving is considered highly dangerous.
A blood sample from Otufangavalu returned a positive result for cannabis and THC. Current technology doesn't allow for the testing of blood for nitrous oxide.
Police recovered two large nitrous oxide canisters, individual balloons, an open packet of green balloons, and a bong used to consume cannabis from the wreckage of the Toyota.
Text messages between Otufangavalu and Lefai earlier in the day referenced bringing a "cannister", which Coroner Bates considered likely to be referring to a nitrous oxide canister.
The coroner agreed with the serious crash unit that Otufangavalu was affected by nitrous oxide inhalation and it was a contributory factor in the collision.
While it was not possible to know the overall impact nitrous oxide was having on the driver, Coroner Bates said "the totality of the evidence satisfies me that Ms Otufangavalu’s driving on 28 May 2024 was significantly impaired due her use of nitrous oxide and potentially exacerbated by her use of cannabis".
"Her level of impairment clearly caused her to drive the Toyota across the centrelines into oncoming traffic lanes and the path of Mr and Mrs Grimmer’s Audi. The result was five avoidable deaths."
A two-car collision on State Highway 3 between Hamilton and Te Awamutu on Tuesday left five people dead. (Source: 1News)
'Tragic and painful'
In his comments, Coroner Bates said the case was a "tragic and painful" example of the consequences of impaired driving.
He emphasised operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of any substance known to cause impairment was unacceptable regardless of licence status.
"When a person is impaired through substance use, others around them aware of that fact must do everything practicable to prevent them from operating a motor vehicle."
He said his "sincere hope" was that continued publicity, education and enforcement intended to combat impaired drivers gained greater traction.
"The tragic consequences of impaired driving have the potential to touch any of us."
Coroner Bates also expressed his condolences to all those affected by the tragedy, including the family and friends of Paul and Lois Grimmer whose lives were "needlessly taken as they went about their daily activities".
"They were gone in an instant, through no fault of their own, at a time when they were entitled to expect continued enjoyment of their retirement together."
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