A teenager hit by a milk tanker while walking on State Highway 1 at Maheno early on Sunday had crashed his car on a country road not long before.
Jed David Kennedy (18), farm worker, of Herbert, is still in a serious condition after being airlifted to Dunedin Hospital by the Otago Regional Rescue helicopter after the accident, which occurred shortly after 1am on Sunday.
Further investigations by police have pieced together his movements through the evening before being hit by the tanker, Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said yesterday.
They revealed Mr Kennedy had crashed his car on Willow View Rd, to the west of Maheno, shortly before the accident.
He was the sole occupant and no other vehicle was involved.
''He has left the crash on foot and about half an hour later was hit by the truck,'' Sgt Wilkinson said.
At this stage, it was not known what caused Mr Kennedy to crash his car or why he decided to walk, but he was just south of Maheno on SH1 heading towards Herbert when hit.
Sgt Wilkinson would not comment on whether alcohol was involved or whether Mr Kennedy's judgement was impaired by his crash until the results of tests had been received.
The milk tanker was heading north and its driver was shaken but unhurt.
The highway was closed for about three hours and a detour had been put in place.
