Nadia Christensen is nervous whenever her loved ones travel on the roads. In her eyes, there seem to be more “idiots” behind the wheel.

It’s the second summer she has had to spend without her “precious” mum and dad – Jan and Johnny Christensen – after they were killed in a crash in Rotorua on December 18, 2023.

Their deaths were caused by a drugged and speeding driver – Hemana Morgan-Edmonds – who smashed into their vehicle in an unwarranted, unregistered car police had earlier ordered off the road.

Jan and Johnny Christensen were killed by a speeding and drugged driver in Rotorua in December 2023. Photo / Supplied

It’s a prime example of what police describe as “wholly unnecessary” deaths as they grapple with another year of too many fatalities on Bay of Plenty roads.

Official figures show there were 37 deaths on roads in the Bay of Plenty police district in 2024 - one more than in 2023.

In 2024, carnage on Rotorua roads contributed to the tally – there were 12 deaths, the most locally for several years. Rotorua’s road toll rose significantly in December with four fatal crashes in the region, including one on December 9 just south of Rotorua that claimed four lives and the death of a motorcyclist in Murupara on December 28.

There were 12 deaths in Taupō, seven in Western Bay of Plenty and six in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Nationally, the road toll was tracking to be the lowest in a decade.

For Christensen, every death was a harrowing reminder another family was going through the same grief.

“The morning that I received the news that they had been in an accident near their home was one of the most traumatic and terrifying shocks of my life.”

She said finding out her parents had been killed by someone speeding and while impaired by cannabis made it worse.

“I was gutted to the core. It really puts you on edge and you naturally are dubious and nervous when your loved ones are travelling around from A to B. There seem to be visibly more idiots around than I can ever remember over the years … more impatient and angry ones.”

Hemana Morgan-Edmonds appears in the Rotorua District Court over the deaths of John and Janice Christensen. Photo / Kelly Makiha

Morgan-Edmonds was found by police to have six times the “high-risk” level of cannabis in his system and was going about 130km/h in the seconds before he smashed into the Christensons’ car.

The 22 year old will be sentenced on January 16 after pleading guilty to four charges, including two counts of drugged driving causing death and two counts of drugged driving causing injury.

Christensen said not a day goes by she does not think of her mum and dad.

“They were a couple of lovebirds that were the most spiritual, kind, adventurous, forgiving and non-judgemental people I knew ... my best friends in the world.”

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Logan Marsh.

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Logan Marsh said too many people died on the region’s roads in 2024.

“More than 30 families have spent their holiday period without a loved family member, friend or colleague, after losing them in a crash on Bay of Plenty roads during 2024. This is tragic and wholly unnecessary.”

Marsh said many of the crashes remained under investigation so he could not comment on the specific circumstances of individual crashes.

But he said there were four main behaviours that contributed to death and serious injury crashes – speed; being impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue; driving while distracted; and not being properly restrained.

“Police are out and about on the roads 24/7, working to keep people safe – but we cannot do it alone and road safety is something we all need to take responsibility for.”

He said drivers needed to ensure they were driving within the speed limit and should adjust speeds to the conditions.

“Don’t drive after consuming alcohol or drugs – and recognise when you’re fatigued and shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Put the phone away when you’re in the car – if you need to make or take an urgent call or text, pull over in a safe location to do so.”

He said seatbelts saved lives and everyone should be properly restrained, including children in the appropriate car seats or restraints for their age.

“If we all do these simple things and play our part, it will go a long way to making 2025 a much less tragic year on our roads.”

2024 Bay of Plenty road toll

January 1, SH 30, Okataina, Rotorua police district – Jade Nicole Richards, 18

January 5, Broadlands Rd, Taupō police district – Jeannine Ball, 51, and Lynda Ball, 76

January 16, Rimu Rd/Oregon Dr, Murupara, Rotorua police district – Avia Faataape, 28

February 14, Maraetai Rd, Tokoroa, Taupō police district – Watene Casey Wanakore, 20

February 24, SH2, Tanners Point, Western Bay police district – Brendon Ross Bourne, 55

March 16, SH30, Awakeri, Eastern Bay police district – Keri Lance O’Sullivan, 53

March 31, SH5, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua police district – Kiefer Bryers, 27

April 3, SH5/Harwoods Rd, Tapapa, Taupō police district – Name not released – 55-year-old man

April 3, Somerville Rd, Tapapa, Taupō police district – James Burt, 36

April 17, Ruapehu St, Taupō police district – Name not released – 29-year-old woman

May 19, SH5, Tapapa, Taupō police district – Jackson Robert French, 73

2 June 2, SH35, Omaio, Eastern Bay police district – Name not released – 66-year-old man

July 8 SH 2, Pukehina, Western Bay police district – Andrew John Blakeborough, 39

July 25, Maleme St, Greerton, Western Bay police district – Name not released – 67-year-old woman

August 7, Takitimu Dr, Tauranga, Western Bay police district – Joanna Teresa McMillan, 51

August 23, Pahoia Rd, Whakamarama, Western Bay police district – Name not released – 42-year-old woman

September 9, Grieve Rd, Otakiri, Eastern Bay police district – Name not released – 76-year-old man

September 11, SH5, Tapapa, Rotorua police district – Lynette Helen Ambler (nee Gibson), 61

September 23, Rawhiti Street, Taupō police district – Name not released – 25-year-old woman

October 4, Waioeka Rd, Ōpōtiki, Eastern Bay police district – Name not released – 33-year-old woman

October 6, White Pine Bush Rd, Whakatāne, Eastern Bay police district – Name not released – 57-year-old woman

October 11, SH32 (Whakamaru Rd), Kinleith, Taupō police district – Name not released – 57-year-old woman

October 31, Vaughan Rd, Owhata, Rotorua police district – Name not released – 15 year-old man

November 23, Ongaroto Rd, Kinleith, Taupō police district – Name not released – 62-year-old man

November 23, SH2, Waiotahe, Eastern Bay police district – Name not released – 57-year-old woman

November 27, SH1, Piarere, Taupō police district – Name not released – 16-year-old male

December 7, SH32, Tihoi, Taupō police district – Name not released – 63-year-old man

December 9, SH5, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua police district – Amelia Rose Frost, 26, Ruben James Frost, 18, Tray-Dee Akuhata Wall, 20, MaryJane Merehini Heke, 50

December 12, Pyes Pa Rd, Tauranga, Western Bay police district – Harkewal Singh, 64

December 14, SH5, Ngongotahā Valley, Rotorua police district – Asya Leslie James, 17

December 16, SH30, Rotoiti Forest, Rotorua police district – Name not yet released

December 24, Lloyd St, Tauranga, Western Bay police district – Name not yet released

December 28, Main Rd, Murupara, Rotorua police district – Name not yet released

Name releases

Marsh said police routinely advised families of those who had died in crashes before publicly releasing names.

While preparing a summary of the 2024 fatal crashes, Marsh said it became apparent several names had not been released proactively by police.

“It was determined that the lead-up to the holiday period was not the right time to be contacting families of the deceased to discuss name releases.”

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.