11 Feb 2025

Woman charged after man fell to his death from top of car in Napier

9:23 am on 11 February 2025
Reif Cotter (left), his three young children, and his wife Holly Te Ngahue.

Reif Cotter (left), his three young children, and his wife Holly Te Ngahue. Photo: Supplied / Givealittle

A woman has been arrested on alcohol and reckless driving charges after a man died falling off the top of a car in Napier on 27 December 2024.

Reif Cotter, 33, was travelling on a mattress on the roof of a station wagon from the Marewa shops, when he fell onto the road at Nuffield Avenue.

Police said they arrested a 23-year-old woman in Hastings on Monday afternoon in relation to the matter.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Bailey-Tran said the woman was due to appear in the Napier District Court on 20 February, charged with excess breath alcohol and reckless driving causing death.

Bailey-Tran said police were not seeking anyone else.

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