Driver may be unaware they killed a man

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A man found dying on a Northland road on Tuesday night may not have been killed by a hit-and-run driver, as initially thought, but could have been run over while he was lying on the road, police say.

The man, named today as 45-year-old Thomas Joseph Rerekura of Whirinaki, was discovered beside State Highway 12 near the rural settlement of Whirinaki, 45km west of Kaikohe, about 8.45pm.

He suffered significant head trauma and died a short time later, despite efforts to save him.

A post mortem revealed his injuries were consistent with him being run over, as opposed to being struck by a vehicle, indicating he was already lying on the ground when hit.

He was wearing black clothing and was on an area of state highway that had no lighting, so the driver may not have been aware that they had run someone over, police said.

He was believed to have been heavily intoxicated at the time.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

- NZPA