Youth Charged With Reckless Driving Causing Death

A 15 year old student will appear in the Waitakere District Court this afternoon on serious driving charges after a fatal crash in the West Auckland suburb of Titirangi earlier today.

The male youth has been charged with reckless driving causing death, failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and an alternative charge of receiving. Additional charges have not been ruled out.

The appearance results from an incident at about 3.20am this morning when a stolen Subaru motor vehicle crashed at the roundabout at the intersection of Golf Road and Titirangi Road. The young offender was the driver of the vehicle.

The Subaru was engaged in a police pursuit at the time. A 14 year old male passenger died at the scene. Two other male occupants both aged 15 years suffered serious injuries and remain in a critical condition in Auckland Hospital.

The name of the deceased has not yet been released. Waitemata police express their sympathy to the families of both the deceased and the seriously injured.

An internal police investigation is in progress. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been advised of this incident. Police are urging witnesses or anyone with information to call the Serious Crash Unit on 09 481 0300.

The penalties for these driving offences are:

• Reckless Driving Causing Death

o Five years imprisonment,

o Fine not exceeding $20,000

o Driving disqualification is mandatory

• Failing to Stop

o Fine not exceeding $10,000

• Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle

o Seven years imprisonment

The penalty on the alternative charge of receiving is seven years.