One person was found in a critical condition.
It brings the King's Birthday long weekend road toll to two.
The trio suffered moderate to serious injuries.
The ordeal began at 10pm on Wednesday when police officers approached a suspicious vehicle on State Highway 30.
It stuck at a depth of 17km.
Pitihira was one of three men who fled police after an alleged burglary and ran into the sea to avoid arrest.
Police are investigating the unexplained death of a man at Mount Maunganui.
Steven Taiatini was hit and killed by a car in Ōpōtiki last year.
The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene.
