Senior Constable Darrin Low, of Hampden, said the 22-year-old northbound driver braked heavily to turn right off State Highway 1 on to Waianakarua Rd about 12.30pm.
The driver of a 4WD vehicle following her braked hard and swerved to the left to avoid a collision, but a truck and trailer unit was unable to stop in time.
The truck driver swerved into the southbound lane and hit the car, Const Low said.
''It was like the front of the truck had a can opener on it - it peeled the right-hand side off the car.''
The truck sustained minor panel damage.
Const Low said the female driver was ''extremely lucky'' to come away with only minor injuries, with the stock truck and trailer unit coming within 15cm to 25cm of her.
''She was taken through to Oamaru for observation, but she'll make a full recovery,'' he said.
It appeared she had not indicated to turn right off SH1, he said.
The crash site was about 1000m from where Kim Gordon Simpson (51) was killed after his Land Rover Freelander crossed the centre line while travelling south and hit an oncoming truck on Thursday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis said police had considerably scaled back their homicide investigation into the deaths of Mr Simpson and his wife, Lynette Mary Simpson, as they prepared information for the coroner.
- Rebecca Ryan
