Cromwell driver in Royalburn butcher crash has charges upgraded to manslaughter

A man previously charged in relation to a crash near Queenstown last year has had his charge upgraded.

The crash on 16 December 2023 happened on Gibbston Valley Highway near the Crown Range turnoff. 

The 28-year-old man was initially charged in late January with excess blood alcohol causing death, however Police have now upgraded the charge to manslaughter.

The man is remanded on bail to reappear in the Queenstown District Court on 11 March.

Hayden Richard Hurst, of Cromwell, is already accused of driving under the influence of drugs when the crash happened.

Police allege the 28 year old had taken ecstasy prior to colliding with another vehicle on State Highway Six, near the Arrowtown junction, on the morning of December 16.

Outrega Anderson - also known as Tré Anderson - was driving the second vehicle and was killed by the impact.

Mr Hurst is already facing drink driving charges.

He recorded a blood alcohol level of 131 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood when he hit Mr Anderson's vehicle.