A passenger in a car which fled from police has died after it crashed into a pole in Takanini, south Auckland.
Police said before the crash, officers tried to stop the car on Clevedon Rd in Papakura at 10:07pm as it looked "suspicious". They said it then accelerated away after being stopped.
Police said they didn't pursue the car and several minutes later another police unit found the vehicle crashed into a pole at the intersection of Porchester Rd and Walters Rd, Takanini.
The driver fled the scene and police immediately gave medical assistance to the two remaining occupants of the vehicle.
"Sadly, one of the passengers died at the scene," police said in a statement.
"A second passenger sustained serious injuries."
The driver of the vehicle was found a short time later with moderate injuries.
"This is a devastating event for everyone involved," says Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers.
"When you are signalled to stop by police, just stop. It's not worth someone being injured, or worse, losing a life."
The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The incident will be referred to the IPCA, police said.
