Coroner clears van driver of cannabis use in fatal forest crash

Thursday 23 October 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 23 Oct 2025, 5:00am

A coroner has found that a van driver was entirely sober before a 2019 crash in Kaingaroa Forest killed four forestry workers. The investigation revealed the accident was avoidable and has prompted calls for a WorkSafe probe into the incident.

How they headlined it

5am

1. NZ HeraldThu 23 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Van driver Storm Lacy ‘entirely sober’ before fatal logging truck crash in Kaingaroa Forest (opens in new tab)

2. StuffThu 23 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   ‘Entirely sober’: Police slammed over ‘flawed’ investigation linking fatal forestry crash driver to cannabis use (opens in new tab)

3. RNZThu 23 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner calls for WorkSafe probe into 'avoidable' deaths of forestry workers (opens in new tab)