Queenstown police have named the man killed in a head-on collision on State Highway 6 near Tucker Beach Rd and the Shotover bridge at 4.55pm on Friday.
He was Anderson Luiz Dos Santos (32), a Brazilian national who had been living in Queenstown since 2005.
Mr Santos was taken to Lakes District Hospital in Frankton by ambulance in a critical condition.
He died at the hospital three hours later.
Sergeant Kate Pirovano, of Queenstown, said police were still investigating the cause of the accident, and could not give more details at this stage.
"Serious crash investigators are still working on the case.
It can take weeks before we have a clear picture of all the details surrounding this accident.
Only then will we know if there is a basis for any charges to be laid," she said.
Mr Santos' wife had asked the police for privacy, and Sgt Pirovano declined to reveal further details about the deceased.
The driver of the other car involved in the crash was Brad James Nielson (31), of Queenstown.
He suffered serious leg injuries and was first taken to Lakes District Hospital, then transported to Southland Hospital in Invercargill.
Yesterday afternoon, a spokesperson from Southland Hospital reported Mr Nielson was in a stable and satisfactory condition in a general ward.
There were no passengers in either of the cars.
Sgt Pirovano urged witnesses to the accident to contact Queenstown police.
