Police explain decision to drop charges

Police have released an explanation of their decision to drop charges over the death of a man on a Waikato road.

They say it was likely 26-year-old William Gregory Hoskins was lying down on State Highway 1B at Matangi when he was hit by a ute towing a trailer in January.

The Hastings man had been at a wedding nearby, which he'd left to return to his motel.

Police say after the accident the driver stopped further down the road, but because of the minimal damage to his ute, he believed he had only hit a pot hole or a rubbish bag.

Media coverage of what was termed a hit and run later prompted his wife to contact police.

This week's police decision to drop charges against the driver has prompted fury from the victim's family, leading police to fully explain why they have done so.

A statement from District Commander Superintendent Win van der Velde says a full review and legal advice has brought police to the conclusion was there was no reasonable prospect of the driver being convicted of careless driving causing death.

He says the driver could not be prosecuted for failing to stop, ascertain injury or render assistance either, as he was not aware he'd hit someone.

The death has now been referred to the Coroner.

Photo: NZ Herald