Auckland man charged over fiery Hamilton crash that killed young couple, injured another

The charges relate to the deaths of his passengers Kerihaehae (known as Rangimarie) Nepe and her partner Charlie Russell, both 19 of Hamilton, and another occupant, Daimai Tokoa, who was injured.

There were other passengers in the vehicle.

Police patrolling nearby raced to the crash and pulled occupants from the burning wreckage. The officers, who were praised for their quick and heroic actions, suffered smoke inhalation.

In court, defence counsel Olivia Boersma entered not guilty pleas on behalf of her client.

He was remanded on bail ahead of his next court appearance in April.

‘I’m gonna miss you, baby’

Meanwhile, news of the crash at the time saw the concerned father of Nepe take to Facebook to try to track her down.

He then posted a heartfelt tribute to his “firstborn”.

“My big girl, my number one, my honey girl. I don’t even know what to say or how to feel. This is not fair. I f***en love you. I’m gonna miss you, baby. I already do. Rest in love my honey girl,” he wrote.

Russell’s sister Natalia Russell wrote that losing her brother has been the hardest thing.

“Losing a little brother has to be the most numbing s**t,” she wrote.

“This has got to be the hardest thing ever man … I’m so broken … love you so much my baby brother.”

Russell also posted a photo of the couple, asking them to “look after each other up there”.

Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato. She has worked at NZME for 10 years and has been a journalist for 21.